From the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State

Consumer financial education will take center stage when state agencies gather in Swan Quarter on Nov. 18.

An official from the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office will discuss the risk of fraud in investment schemes, as well as fake charity scams, and will offer important tips for steering clear of con artists.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the Hyde County Senior Center, located at 160 Juniper Bay Road in Swan Quarter. This event is free and open to the public. Media coverage is welcomed.

Scam Jam is designed to educate the public about a range of financial issues, including investment fraud, identity theft and Medicare fraud. There will also be presentations on how to protect your credit card information and how to put a protective “freeze” on your credit report. The event will include presentations from the N.C. Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Division, the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office.

The Secretary of State’s Securities Division enforces and administers the state’s securities laws, which are designed to protect the investing public. The Division investigates complaints and allegations of fraud involving securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers and commodities dealers. Contact the Division, toll-free, at 1-800-688-4507 to verify the registration or disciplinary history of a securities salesperson or the salesperson’s firm. For investor education and protection information, please visit the Securities Division’s website at www.sosnc.com.