Marin County, CA – Several County of Marin departments are coordinating a free educational event focused on preventing fraud and protecting residents – especially older ones – from scams. It’s called the Scam Jam.
The free event will take place from 9 AM to 1 PM Tuesday, April 28, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 240 Tiburon Boulevard in Tiburon. Attendees will be offered complimentary bagels and coffee.
The session is offered by the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, Marin Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Aging and Adult Services, HHS’ Office of the Public Guardian, HHS’ Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) and AARP California. AARP-sponsored Scam Jams are free educational events designed to help older adult community members identify, avoid, and report common frauds and scams.
With 31% of residents age 60 and older, Marin is demographically one of the oldest counties in California. By 2030, that percentage is expected to jump up to 35%. Crimes, financial abuse, and scams are growing concerns among older adults and were collectively in the top five of the most frequently cited concerns in Aging & Adult Services' latest older adults needs assessment. Marin older adults who are Black, Asian, Latino, and/or low-income were especially concerned about scams.
“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting individuals of all ages — especially older adults,” said District Attorney Lori Frugoli. “Education is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent financial exploitation. This event empowers our community with the knowledge needed to recognize and report fraud before it happens.”
Mark Vanderscoff, FAST Chair and Public Guardian for Marin HHS, said about 40% of reports to local Adult Protective Services involve suspected financial abuse. AARP’s statistics show that 20% of older adults nationwide have already been victims of financial abuse.
“That highlights a growing community concern — especially in an increasingly digital world," said DA Investigator Mark Reischel, who added that many scams succeed because they create a sense of urgency or fear in a targeted individual.
“Taking a moment to pause, verify, and talk to someone you trust can make all the difference in preventing financial loss,” he said.
Scam Jam attendees will hear directly from experts about:
- The most common scams affecting Marin residents
- Warning signs and red flags of fraud
- Strategies to safeguard personal and financial information
- Steps to take if you or someone you know becomes a victim
The program emphasizes that “in the fight against fraud, knowledge is power,” and aims to equip residents with practical tools to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The Scam Jam is part of the County’s ongoing commitment to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation through education, prevention, and coordinated response. As part of this effort, the District Attorney’s Office has launched a new partnership with two local banks to help detect and prevent fraud, with a focus on protecting older residents who are more likely to be targeted.
Check the DA’s webpage about its Elder Abuse Prevention Program. Marin HHS provides more info on its FAST program online. The AARP webpage on fraud prevention[External] is a helpful resource.
The April 28 event is free, but online registration is encouraged[External].
