SAFE:
Successful Aging thru Financial Empowerment
SAFE educates, coaches, protects and empowers older adults and caregivers who need help managing their finances. SAFE can help prevent fraud and identity theft, as well as assist in recovering identity and funds if you have been a victim.
Watch SAFE Director LaToya Hall, MSW, discuss scams and identity theft. Hosted by AARP.
Victims of Financial Scams or Identity Theft
SAFE helps resolve issues, build credit and recover funds through confidential one-on-one counseling.
Older Adults Managing Money
SAFE counselors explain budgets, debt, savings and investments plus the latest information about scams and identity theft to empower you.
SAFE’s Counselors Can Help You:
1. Report scams and identity theft to proper channels.
2. Pull and review credit reports.
3. Submit fraud complaints to close fraudulent accounts and remove negative items from credit reports breached by identity theft.
4. Negotiate payments or settlements with creditors.
5. Complete cost-of-living budgets.
6. Address consumer credit issues.
7. Understand financial communications from businesses, creditors, etc.
8. Add fraud alerts to the major credit bureaus.
9. Contact companies to sort out miscommunications or confusion about financial matters.
10. Draft financial plans and work toward financial goals.
One-on-one counseling from the safety and convenience of your home.
Dr. Lichtenberg explains signs of financial vulnerability at a Michigan conference of older adults.
BEHIND SAFE
The SAFE financial coaching and education program was created in 2017 at the Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology by Dr. Peter Lichtenberg, a clinical geropsychologist, and Ms. LaToya Hall, a master’s prepared Social Worker.
NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US?
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SAFE Inquiry Form
SAFE and its research is supported by grants from: The Baldwin Society Supporting Older Adults, National Institute of Justice, Foundation for Financial Health, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, and the Mary Thompson Foundation.
Questionnaire
If you are concerned that your financial decision-making is changing as you age, this questionnaire can help. The Financial Vulnerability Survey is completely confidential.
Resources
Get the latest about finances, fraud alerts and helpful websites for you and your family and friends. Free downloads on “Household Finances,” “Power of Attorney,” and more.