FLORENCE, Wis. — Financial scams targeting older adults are on the rise, with perpetrators targeting both low-income and wealthy seniors. In 2021, older victims were scammed out of more than $1.7 billion. Financial scams often go unreported and leave seniors in vulnerable positions.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County will host guest speaker Jeff Kersten, who will give a free presentation “Common Scams and Fraud Targeting Seniors” from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept, 19, in room 108 of the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College building, 2030 Calvary Drive in Aurora, Wis.

The same presentation will be offered from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept, 20, at the Tipler Town Hall, 11102 Dream Lake Road in Tipler, Wis.

Kersten is the agency liaison for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. He travels throughout the state to educate the public, businesses and law enforcement on privacy protection, data security, identity theft and other areas of consumer protection.

He has more than 12 years of experience as a police officer and is a prior consumer protection investigator for the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Kersten will discuss the details of common scams that target seniors, the warning signs of a scam and what to do if you or someone you know falls victim to a scam or fraud.

Registration is required by Sept. 15. To register or to get additional information, call the ADRC of Florence County at 715-528-4890, or stop by the ADRC office 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the lower level of the Florence County Courthouse, 501 Lake Ave. in Florence.