AARP to Launch BankSafe Financial Exploitation Identification Training

California One of Twelve States Selected for Pilot Launch

California financial institutions have an opportunity to be on the frontlines of combating financial exploitation in our state. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has partnered with more than 200 experts from banks and credit unions across the country to develop BankSafe, a first-of-its-kind, free training program that empowers frontline employees to identify red flags for financial exploitation and develop the skills to take the right actions to stop it. Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code §15360.1, officers and employees of financial institutions are mandated reporters of suspected financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult.

Visit the BankSafe Safeguards Against Exploitation to find out how the BankSafe training is different.

California is one of twelve states selected to participate in the pilot launch of the training when it goes live in May.  Several financial institutions in California are already involved as partners in the BankSafe program.

Financial exploitation is a growing problem in California and nationally. Nationwide, the average victim of financial exploitation loses $120,000 and financial institutions lose $1 billion per year in deposits.

AARP partnered with industry experts and one of the nation’s leading online education companies to develop BankSafe with the frontline user in mind. The BankSafe training:

• Includes interactive modules, real-life scenarios and fun games to test skills
• Provides short, bite-size education and training activities
• Allows users to train and monitor their progress at their own pace

For more information about BankSafe go to www.aarp.org/BankSafe or refer to the BankSafe Pilot Program Overview. Signing up to participate as a BankSafe pilot participant is simple. Just start by filling out the registration form by April 1, 2018.

Interested persons may also contact Nicole Fernandez at (650) 573-2109 or nfernandez@smcgov.org. Nicole is a Training and Outreach Specialist at San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services, AARP’s California partner in the pilot launch.