Dexter Age Friendly to host senior fraud program

DEXTER — On Thursday, May 14 Dexter Age Friendly will be hosting a senior fraud program featuring two speakers: Pamela Partridge from AARP’s Fraud Watch program and Kelsee Bowman from Skowhegan Savings Bank. Both women have extensive experience keeping abreast of both local and statewide developments in the detection of fraud.

Since the inception of Medicare in the 1960s when scammers posing as government officials tried to get early payments from seniors, fraud of seniors has grown to the point that roughly 6% of U.S. seniors fall victim to financial scams each year with $3.4 billion in losses. Common fraud types include tech support, romance, investment and government imposter scams.

Bowman, branch manager of Skowhegan Savings in Dexter, is passionate about working closely with customers every day to safeguard their financial wellbeing, and to prevent and respond to fraud. Partridge, a retired educator, began volunteering with AARP in 2019. She is lead volunteer with their fraud program and has advocated for policies and legislation in Maine that support people in their later years. Both of these women have spent years educating and assisting seniors to recognize scams and fraud.  

This meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on May 14 at the Town Council Chambers, 23 Main St. For more information please call 207-924-7292.