Education and outreach staff from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) will be hosting and participating in numerous virtual presentations for groups of senior citizens, veterans, service providers, and the public throughout the month of September to promote financial capability as part of Governor Tom Wolf’s Consumer Financial Protection Initiative.  

All of the September outreach events will be held virtually and in partnership with the listed organizations. The events are open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Virtual Events for General Audiences

Avoiding Scams and ID Theft - A program that looks at how identities are stolen or compromised and identifies ways to protect yourself from common scams and fraud.

• Oley Valley Community Library (Berks County) on September 8 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Register by calling 484-491-1278.
   
• Fredricksen Library (Cumberland County) on September 9 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and September 21 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Register online.

Cybersecurity: Keeping Yourself Safe Online - A program designed to help build cyber awareness and how to keep your information safe and secure online is vitally important for everyone. This presentation which covers key topics like using secure websites, creating strong passwords, being aware of what you put on social media, and even tips for shopping online safely – will be presented:

• PA Link, Aging and Disability Resources (Carbon County) on September 23 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Register by calling 866-286-3636.
   
• Bosler Memorial Library (Cumberland County) on September 23 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Register online or call 717-243-4643.

Virtual Events For Senior Citizens

“Virtual Fraud BINGO” - A fun and interactive presentation that teaches consumers how to protect themselves from investment and other financial fraud by playing a familiar game: Bingo – will be held virtually:

• Bedford County Chamber of Commerce (Bedford County) on September 2 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Register by calling 814-623-2233.
   
• Wayne Senior Center (Delaware County) on September 16 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Register by calling 610-688-6246.

Avoiding Scams and ID Theft - A program that looks at how identities are stolen or compromised and identifies ways to protect yourself from common scams and fraud.

• Philadelphia Senior Center (Philadelphia County) on September 11 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Register by calling 215-546-5879.
   
• Open to members of Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County (Montgomery County) on September 15 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Register by calling 610-275-1960.

Cybersecurity: Keeping Yourself Safe Online - A program designed to help build cyber awareness and how to keep your information safe and secure online is vitally important for everyone. This presentation which covers key topics like using secure websites, creating strong passwords, being aware of what you put on social media, and even tips for shopping online safely – will be presented:

• Open to members of the Southern Blair Senior Center (Blair County) on September 17 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Register by calling 814-317-5181.
   
• The Philadelphia Senior Center (Philadelphia County) on September 29 – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Register by calling 215-546-5879.

Virtual Events for Organizations and Service Providers

Working with DOBS - This presentation helps participants understand the department, the businesses we regulate; how people can work with DoBS outreach staff, as well as DoBS Consumer Services team.

• Pittsburgh North Chamber of Commerce on September 1 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM; and September 10 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. For more information and registration, call 724-934-9700 ext. 21.

Start Today and Retire Tomorrow (STaRT) - This program discusses retirement planning. The goal is to help you determine what your retirement goals are and how to help you get there. No matter where you are in the timeline for retirement, early career, mid-career or late career, know that it’s never too late to STaRT. Open to employees of Labor and Industry Bureau of Workers’ Compensation on September 15 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

DoBS Investor Education and Consumer Outreach staff work with state and local government agencies, service providers, community and trade organizations, the General Assembly, the military community, schools, and other partners to help Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth become well-informed about the financial marketplace.

Learn more about the free, non-commercial programs and presentations available or contact us to request a program tailored to your specific needs.

Visit the department's calendar of events to find an event near you. Consumers and community groups can call 1-800-PA-BANKS or email informed@pa.gov for more information. To learn more about the Consumer Financial Protection Initiative, follow the department on Twitter and Facebook.

Visit the commonwealth's Responding to COVID-19 guide for the latest guidance and resources for Pennsylvanians or the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s dedicated coronavirus webpage for the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.