By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
West End Presbyterian Church, in coordination with First Bank and the Gorenflo Law Firm, are offering a community discussion about frauds and scams, how to recognize and combat them and what to do if you’ve been scammed.
The event will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 23 and is free and open to all and includes refreshment. Participants will begin arriving at 4:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 4:45 p.m.
“The discussion of frauds and scams will, of course, be of benefit to the community at large,” said Bud Sales, the Finance Committee Chair of West End Presbyterian Church helping to organize the event. “People here are all targets of those seeking to separate us from our money. Knowing what and how can only be a benefit. I myself have been a target and managed to avoid losing money because of the quick action by First Bank several years ago.”
The discussion will be led by Michael G. Gorenflo, attorney at The Gorenflo Law Firm; Carrie Barber, branch manager for First Bank; and David Zmiewsky, First Bank City Executive.
Gorenflo brings 24 years of experience assisting clients with real estate/business/estate issues, including financial accounts and transfers of funds. Coworkers Barber and Zmiewsky bring over 25 years combined experience in banking and financial services, assisting customers every day with fraud and identity theft issues/situations.
Their natural association based on skill sets and common clients needing assistance prompted them to design this program together according to Gorneflo. Additionally they share an interest in creating community awareness and providing education on how to protect your finances and identity theft prevention measures.
The three experts previously teamed up to present a similar program for the Kiwanis Club of Seven Lakes. They will cover wire fraud, credit fraud, elder fraud, elder abuse, consumer protections, check scams, identity theft, gift card scams, online banking and safeguarding personal information. Best practices for how to avoid being a victim will be shared.
Even those who have heard the presentation before would benefit from attending.
“We do a Q&A at the end of the presentation which allows for the audience to ask specific questions — this is always a great discussion as they have the chance to ask professionals questions directly,” said Barber and Zmiewsky.
Gorenflo says everyone would benefit from this offering from business owners to retirees, to young adults, to homemakers and anyone who handles financial transactions. People should know it is important to be diligent and careful when dealing with financial transactions, transfers and credit, he added.
“It is most important in today’s world to safeguard yourself and your finances,” said Barber and Zmiewsky. “Many people do not realize they have been compromised until it is too late and the damage is done in having funds taken away or having their identity taken and trying to reclaim who they are. These things can really negatively impact one’s life and living.”
According to Sales, WEPC is sponsoring this event as an outreach to the community at large and to acquaint members of the Seven Lakes community with the church as a neighbor.
“We are hoping this will appeal to a broad range of community members from Seven Lakes, West End and McLendon Hills and that they will at least know where we are,” he said.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
