Jay Haapala wants people to cut the Minnesota nice if they suspect an identity theft attempt over the phone.

“Just hanging up is so important because the con artist might get lucky and say something that makes sense,” said Haapala, the associate state director of Community Outreach for AARP Minnesota.

That was one of the tips Haapala offered on Wednesday when he visited Primrose Retirement Community of Austin to outline ways to avoid identity theft scams. Haapala was the featured speaker in Primrose’s first installment of a new program meant to approach issues like identity theft and other topics in an educational way.

Primrose is offering its members and the community educational and informational programs at 10 a.m. every third Wednesday of the month.

The next discussion topics will include Medicare in November and senior advocacy in December.

Refreshments will be served at the meetings and the public is welcome to attend.

Shannon Pacholl, executive director of Primrose in Austin, has high hopes for the future of the program.

“We have so many people that we want to approach to come I can see it lasting at least through next year,” Pacholl said.

The presentation on the dangers of identity theft and how to avoid becoming a victim featured speaker Haapala.

“They’re targeting older adults because that’s where the money is,” Haapala said during the presentation. “They know that’s where the money is.”

His presentation outlined different ways people can be targeted by identity theft and different scams people use. He hoped the audience would take away what he taught and spread the message to be careful for the many scams.

“This is a big organized crime operation,” he said.

Haapala is the head of the Minnesota Fraud Watch Network which serves to educate consumers about fraud, scams and identity theft. He has met with more than 100 community groups across the state to discuss how people are targeted by financial crime. Through his educational efforts, he is working to build a statewide network of fraud fighter volunteers with AARP.

“Today, people age 50-plus control more than 70 percent of the nation’s wealth, and scammers know it,” Haapala said in a press release. “Technology has made it easier for criminals to get access to personal information and money. Understanding the latest trends and tactics in fraud can help us all protect our own savings, as well as people who are more vulnerable.”
Pacholl hopes residents and community members will take a lot away about the different topics during these presentations.
“I hope that they will learn more about whatever subject we’re talking about,” she said. “Anything that has to do with seniors is our first priority, and also anything that’s going on in the community.”
She hopes the programs will also help people learn about Primrose and the opportunities available, as Pacholl said many people want to see the retirement home but aren’t quite ready to move in. The programs are a good way for those already living at Primrose to talk with each other and those looking into moving in soon.
Pacholl said future programs could feature more community members talking about things happening in the area, such as having someone come in to discuss the expansion of Austin Utilities.
“We thought [people] are always interested in learning things about the community, and learning in general, so if we could find something that they find interesting that would be great,” Pacholl said.
“Then they feel they can get the information first hand, versus just watching the news,” she added.
Primrose Retirement Community of Austin, located at 1701 22nd Ave. SW, consists of 40 independent living apartment homes and 24 assisted-living apartment homes.