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Patelco Senior Advocate Program
Dublin-based Patelco Credit Union announced the results so far of its new Senior Advocate Program aimed at curbing elder fraud scams, reporting that 700 fraud attempts were stopped and a total of nearly $10 million in potential losses were averted in the past year.
“Financial exploitation of older adults is evolving rapidly, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence,” said Jennifer Mink, vice president of member experience & financial wellbeing at Patelco. “While technology plays a role in defense, it is the human connection—trained employees asking the right questions—that is making a critical difference.”
The program saw a peak of 80 suspicious transactions in April, but that number has since declined according to the company’s announcement last week.
In the program’s first year, 26% of attempted scams were via family and friend impersonations, 12% were through computer and tech support scams and 10% involved crypto or Coinbase. Attempted fraud instances involving government impersonation and call spoofing made up for 8% of cases each, with romance scams at 7%. Construction and contractor scams made up 2.4% of cases, but Patelco officials noted that they expect that number to increase seasonally.
“These early signs of decline are encouraging,” Mink said. “They suggest that education, prevention, and community awareness are working—but we must remain vigilant.”
Poet laureate application
Applications are now open for the city of San Ramon’s next poet laureate term starting in the fall, with its current poet laureate Jaz Sufi approaching the end of her term in September.
“The San Ramon Poet Laureate will serve as a public advocate for the appreciation and advancement of the literary arts, particularly poetry in the City of San Ramon,” city officials wrote on the San Ramon website. “The role also includes serving as a liaison to local literary organizations, advising the Arts Advisory Committee on poetry-related matters, and potentially leading poetry workshops or public readings.”
The deadline for applications is Aug. 4. More information is available here.
Critter Crossroads Park open
The city of San Ramon celebrated the grand opening of its newest park this week, with Critter Crossroads now open to the public at 1045 S. Monarch Road.
Amenities include two different playgrounds and shaded picnic areas, volleyball, soccer, ping pong and cornhole facilities, a walking trail, and an outdoor fitness area.
No Kid Hungry fundraiser
City Center Bishop Ranch is set to have one more dining option for a limited time only, with Williams Sonoma hosting its No Kid Hungry hot dog stand this weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All proceeds go to the company’s anti-childhood hunger initiative that was launched in 2010 in partnership with the nonprofit organization Share Our Strength.
