August 26 Tele-Townhall Tackles COVID Financial Scams

In the face of financial scams related to the coronavirus outbreak, AARP Washington is collaborating with state and federal experts to provide information and resources that help older Washingtonians spot and stop a scam. 

On Wednesday, August 26, AARP held a live telephone town hall event with Erin Schneider, Regional Director with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission; Bill Beatty, Securities Administrator with the Washington Department of Financial Institutions; and Chuck Harwood, Western Region Director with the Federal Trade Commission.

If you missed the event, click on the image below to listen to a recording.



This live Q&A event provided the latest information about targeted consumer, financial and investor scams which prey upon the fears and uncertainty brought about by the pandemic. Listeners also had a chance to ask questions on-the-air.

“Fraudsters are closely following the headlines, adapting their messages and tactics as new concerns arise,” says AARP Washington State Director Doug Shadel. “Crooks are posing as contact tracers, offering high return rates on investments, and luring consumers into purchasing bogus coronavirus remedies."

Panelists Include:

• Erin Schneider, Regional Director with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
• Bill Beatty, Securities Administrator with the Washington Department of Financial Institutions
• Chuck Harwood, Western Region Director with the Federal Trade Commission

Now more than ever, it’s essential to protect yourself from scams. This tele-townhall is the perfect place to start.

Resources:

AARP

• Fraud Watch Network Call Center and toll-free help line - 877-908-3360

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

• Investor education website at www.investor.gov
• Tip, Complaint, and Referral system to report suspected investment fraud. www.sec.gov/TCR.

Washington State Department of Financial Institutions

• Website - dfi.wa.govToll-Free phone number - 1-877-RING-DFI.
  
  • We can tell you:
    
    • Whether the companies or persons offering the investment are licensed.
    • Whether the investment is registered in Washington.
    • Whether we have any cases related to the investment or its promoters.

Federal Trade Commission

• Complaint website - FTC.gov/complaint and toll-free phone number 877-382-4357.

Washington State Office of the Attorney General

• WA AG Complaint online - https://www.atg.wa.gov/file-complaint
• WA AG Complaint questions - 1-800-551-4636