Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Members of the Mabank ISD Education Foundation accept the Business of the Month Award during the CCLACC’s May 8 luncheon. Pictured are Market St. Nest Owner Shannon Anderson (from left), Chrissy Adams with Mabank Housing Authority, Executive Director of the Mabank ISD Education Foundation Tonya Chapman and Derrick Hoelscher with Patterson Insurance.  

Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Market St. Nest Owner Shannon Anderson and The Monitor’s Director of Sales Janice Grubbs Vincik are all smiles during the CCLACC May 8 luncheon. 

CEDAR CREEK LAKE-Henderson County District Attorney Jenny Palmer was the guest speaker during the May 8 luncheon, at Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon held at Billitos Italian Restaurant. 
Palmer spoke about the Stop Elder Exploitation (S.E.E.) Program which aims to raise awareness of scams and provide information about specific scams affecting the community, as well as what to do if you've been victimized. It is a collaboration with the Henderson County District Attorney's Office, Henderson County Attorney's Office, the HELP Center, and First State Bank Brownsboro, First State Bank of Athens, Simmons Bank, Southside Bank, and Vera Bank. 
Palmer spoke about how scams hit especially close to home with her elderly relative and how she was able to stop the scam before it went too far. These scam artists are very crafty, and can pose as your local bank, include romance scams, use artificial intelligence to spoof not only phone numbers but relatives’ voices and can also include phishing scams. Phishing scams are a type of crime where criminals trick individuals into revealing sensitive information by posing as legitimate entities. Some of the newest scams are the texts stating that you have an unpaid TollTag bill, or a warrant has been placed out for your arrest for failure to show up to jury duty for example. 
Henderson County District Attorney Investigator Buddy Hill suggested spending more time with our elderly relatives, friends and neighbors and truly listening to the things they talk about. The Henderson County HELP Center also provides valuable resources to help those affected by identity theft, elder exploitation and many other crimes. Executive Director Leslie Saunders stated that they are also available to come speak with elderly relatives who may be in the process of being scammed. 
It's important to remember that it’s not your fault. These crimes are carried out by master manipulators who use persuasive techniques and influence tactics based on psychology in order to defraud their target. Some common emotions resulting from financial fraud are grief, shame, fear, guilt, anger, anxiety, depression, embarrassment, loss of trust in others and a loss of a sense of security. 
Some important tips for protecting your personal information is to know that your bank will never ask you for personal information over the phone, text or email. You should never give your social security number, drivers license number, mother’s maiden name, or personal information over the phone. Never cash a check from someone that you don’t know. Never click on links that you do not recognize through a text or in an email. When in doubt, or if something makes you uncomfortable hang up and call your local bank or credit card company from a number on your bank statement or credit card statement. 
If you think your elderly relative could be the victim of a scam reach out to the Henderson County District Attorney’s office by calling them at (903) 675-6100, call the Henderson County HELP Center at (903) 675-4357 or call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372-8311. 
Multiple websites also offer information such as the Federal Trade Commission www.identitytheft.gov, Give an Hour www.giveanhour.org/financial-fraud and the Henderson County HELP Center www.thehelpcenter.org. 
CCLACC Ambassador Ally Kartal presented the Business of the Month Award to the Mabank ISD Education Foundation. The sponsor for the luncheon was Tony Kalawe with Edward Jones and the dessert sponsor was Market St. Nest. The next CCLACC monthly luncheon will be held June 12 at the Mabank Pavilion.