Financial and insurance scams targeting seniors are on the rise. To combat the problem, Florida's Department of Financial Services is hosting free financial workshops for seniors throughout the month of August. According to a 2009 report by the Center for Retirement Research, the department says the scams could be especially devastating for the almost 50% of late baby boomers who are already at risk of losing their current standard of living.
"We want to make sure that they have the information they need in order to safeguard their nest-egg and the assets that they've accumulated throughout their lives. Research that we came across does indicate that some of the highest numbers of identity theft in Florida is related to the senior population." says the Division of Consumer Services Director Tasha Carter.
The workshops are part of the new On Guard for Seniors initiative created by Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater this year. The workshops will be taking place in St. Petersburg, Boca Raton, The Villages, Sarasota, and Ft. Myers. For more information on these workshops visit the On Guard for Seniors website.