LONG BEACH – On the eve of National Night Out, a large group of senior citizens in Long Beach assembled at the Expo Arts Center to obtain information on how to best protect themselves from unscrupulous people targeting their financial security simply because of their age and vulnerability.
“Speaking at these town halls is truly among the most rewarding things I have done in my 21 years of law enforcement,” said Kenny Ehrman, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Unit-A and Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 77 vice president.
Ehrman, a full-time California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) investigator, encounters scam artists and the lasting harm they inflict on their victims, on a daily basis. “From identity theft, to counterfeit driver licenses, to the theft of handicapped placards, there are too many people out there who want something for nothing and they’ll take from seniors without a second thought about how it will impact a senior citizen’s confidence, ability, and future finances.”
Assemblymember O’Donnell
Councilmember Al Austin II
The “Schemes, Scams & Rip-off” town hall in Long Beach was hosted by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell and Long Beach Councilmember Al Austin II. Also in attendance was Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna. Ehrman was joined by representatives from the State Bar of California, California Bureau of Real Estate and the California Department of Business Oversight, all of whom spoke about the current fraudulent activity taking place and directed at senior citizens. The speakers addressed identity theft, real estate, lawyer, business and consumer service fraud.
“All of us know what scammers are doing to steal from senior citizens who have worked their whole lives to enjoy their retirement and senior years,” said Ehrman. “It is my privilege, on behalf of the CSLEA Consumer Protection and Public Safety Foundation, to speak to our citizens about fraud prevention and protection.
The next “Schemes, Scams & Rip-off” town hall Ehrman is scheduled to speak at will be hosted by Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins on August 7, 2015 at the La Jolla library from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, please contact the Speaker’s office at 619.645.3090 or click here.
