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By Michele Walter We had a great turnout for the presentation by Jeffrey Platt, Director of Services for Opportunity Village. If you weren't present for this program, I encourage you to watch it on Channel 97. You need to be informed on how Opportunity Village operates and what is being done on the homeless situation. e City of Banning has adopted Ordinance 1603. "An Ordinance of the City of Banning, California, adding a new chapter 9.09 to Title 9 (public peace, morals and welfare) of the Banning Municipal Code to provide for regulations governing camping and related activities within the City of Banning, and making a determination of exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act." If you would like more information on this, please refer to the City of Banning website. I cannot stress enough the importance of being vigilant on Elder Fraud. No one is exempt from being a potential target of a scammer. COMMON FINANCIAL FRAUDS AND SCAMS! Affinity Marketing & Affinity Fraud (affinity fraud refers to investment scams). • No matter how trustworthy the person who brings the investment opportunity to your attention seems, verify everything. • Never make an investment based solely on the recommendation of a member of an organization. • Investigate the investment thoroughly. • Do not fall for investments that promise spectacular profits or returns. • Avoid any investment that is not presented in writing. • Be suspicious if you are told to keep the investment confidential. "Ponzi" and "Pyramid" schemes are illegal. Many affinity- fraud scams involve Ponzi or pyramid schemes, in which new investor money is used to make payments to earlier investors to give the illusion that the investment is successful. is ploy is used to trick new investors to invest in the scheme and to lull existing investors into believing their investments are safe and secure. In reality, the fraudster almost always steals investors' money for personal use. Be suspicious if…. • Each new recruit must make an up-front investment or purchase a starter kit to join. • New recruits are required to purchase more products than they can reasonably sell. • Participants make money on each new recruit. • ere is no customer-refund policy. TIP: Sometimes financial salespeople will try to create the impression they have special credentials or expertise in senior services and products. e requirements to earn and maintain a senior designation vary considerably. If salesperson's credentials contain words like "senior" or "elder" in conjunction with "certified" or "registered," proceed cautiously. Visit the FBI Elder Fraud website for more resources, i. gov/elderfraud. e U.S. DOJ, Office for Victims of Crime, also offers the National Elder Fraud Hotline as a resource to assist with reporting, (833) 372-8311. Each month I will give common financial frauds and scams information for you. Our program on July 2 at 1 pm in the Main Clubhouse Ballroom will be the District Attorney of Riverside, Mike Hestrin. If you need any information, please contact Michele Walter at (951) 202-8009 or email crystalwater@dc.rr.com. 6 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JULY 2024 | Community Awareness Program PLEASE REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS INDIVIDUALS, ACTIVITIES, AND THEFTS DIRECTLY TO BANNING POLICE DEPARTMENT BY CALLING 911.