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Protecting Senior Citizens from Investment Fraud
 Students in the USF School of Law Investor Justice Clinic held a series of seminars at San Francisco senior centers to help the elderly avoid falling victim to investment scams.
Now, students in the USF School of Law's Investor Justice Clinic are taking on her case in an effort to press the financial institution that gave her the faulty advice to compensate her for her losses.
Led by Professor Robert Talbot, students in the clinic represent individuals who have fallen victim to a variety of costly investment and lending schemes. "These victims are often elderly or inexperienced and cannot handle the technical requirements of the law, fact gathering, or presentation," Talbot said. "It is a perfect situation for law students to help people in need and to gain valuable experience."
In an effort to help the elderly avoid falling victim to investment scams, students in the clinic held a series of investor education seminars at senior centers across the city this semester. With research showing that baby boomers and older investors are natural targets for a range of fraud practices, the free seminars were designed to raise awareness about techniques used to deceive seniors, so they will be able to recognize the tactics and protect themselves.
"We will talk about how to legally protect yourself when you are investing, how to recognize red flags," said student May Chang Raiter. "We will also discuss the legal obligations of brokers."
Investor Education Seminars were recently held at the Jewish Family and Children Services, Castro Senior Center, Rhonda Goldman Center, and Osher Lifelong Learning Center at San Francisco State University.
USF's Investor Justice Clinic is the only one of its kind operating on the West Coast. It is officially recognized by the Financial Industry Regulation Authority (FINRA), and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For more information, contact the clinic at (415) 422-6752.
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