Lower Bucks Today

Rep. Joe Hogan of Bucks County and the House Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Josh Kail from Beaver/Washington, held a hearing to address fraud protection as scams become more prevalent. The session titled “Safeguarding our Community from Fraud” included testimony from several key figures: Fred Harran, Bucks County sheriff; Jennifer Schorn, Bucks County district attorney; Nicolette Brown from PECO; and Jeane Vidoni and Rick Cimakasky of Penn Community Bank.

Hogan emphasized the importance of community safety and consumer education to prevent scams. He expressed gratitude for law enforcement's efforts in holding criminals accountable and acknowledged contributions from local entities like PECO and Penn Community Bank in protecting consumers.

The hearing coincided with National Consumer Protection Week, which highlights consumer rights awareness. Testifiers noted that while anyone can be a victim of fraud, older individuals are particularly susceptible. They urged prompt reporting of suspected scams to authorities and recommended annual credit checks to ensure accuracy. Resources for fraud prevention are available on Hogan’s website.

Kail condemned criminal activities targeting Pennsylvania's elderly population and urged businesses and consumers to assess vulnerabilities and implement protective measures against increasingly sophisticated scammers.

For further details or to view the full hearing, contact Representative Joe Hogan’s office at 717-808-4961.