Financial Awareness in Berks County, PA

Did you know seniors lose $3 billion to scams every year?

National Financial Awareness Day is coming up this week on August 14, 2026! Now is the perfect time to review financial goals for yourself and loved ones. We’ll also explore information about financial scams targeting older adults. Keep reading to learn more!

Why Is Financial Awareness Important?

Unfortunately, not everyone receives education around personal finances. Navigating banking, credit, debt, and savings can be complicated and overwhelming. According to the National Education Association (NEA), individuals with lower financial literacy are less likely to save for future needs. Those individuals are also more likely to pay late payment fees. They’re more likely to borrow money from places other than banks.

The following resources are designed to help you and your loved ones make informed financial decisions. Check them out:

• Curran Estate & Elder Law, PLLC specializes in estate planning, elder law, Medicaid, wills, living wills, life care planning, and probate. Located at 1212 Liggett Ave in Reading, PA, their team of attorneys and staff supports Berks County.
• The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has a Money Smart for Older Adults resource. It covers common topics related to seniors and Caregiving, like unexpected life events.
• The National Credit Union Administration has Money Basics guides! These educational resources can help you navigate your budget and savings. They also have guides that break down how to build and maintain credit.
• The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has a financial literacy resource directory that you can visit here. There are resources for spending, borrowing, elder financial topics, and more.

What Should I Do If I Get Scammed?

Financial scams can make the world of money even more confusing. This is especially true for older adults who scammers often target. Scammers may perceive seniors to be more trusting than other demographics. Additionally, seniors are more likely to have assets like savings and a house. On top of this, older adults don’t always report fraud. They might not know how to make a report. They might feel ashamed or embarrassed. Or, they might feel like their loved ones will lose confidence in them.

Scammers may pose as government officials, bank staff, or tech support to steal money and personal data. They might pretend to be a relative or romantic partner. Stay cautious of calls, mail, and emails you weren’t expecting to receive. If you think you or someone you know is being scammed, there are a few places to report the fraudulent activity:

• Report scams, companies, and unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They’ll help you figure out what to do next. The FTC also uses this information to help prevent future fraud.
• You can reach fraud specialists at the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. They can help identify scams and lay out next steps.
• The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is run by the FBI. You can file a complaint here if you experienced cyber-enabled fraud, scams, or cybercrime.

Where Can I Find Support At Home?

Here at Griswold, we provide in-home Caregiver services. Whether you’re looking for 24-hour home care, companion care, or dementia care, we’re here to assist. Earlier this year, we were named the #1 home care provider in the entire country! We’d love to meet with you and discuss how we can support you and your loved ones at home.