Fairway Home Mortgage launches nonprofit to combat senior financial fraud

Fairway Home Mortgage has launched Fairway SAFE (Senior Advocacy & Financial Education), a nonprofit initiative focused on helping seniors and their families recognize, prevent and respond to financial scams and exploitation, the company announced Wednesday.

Fairway SAFE is positioned as an education and advocacy arm that will offer free programming, resources and partnerships aimed at senior homeowners, caregivers and financial professionals. The launch comes as elder financial exploitation continues to climb, with federal and state regulators warning that social engineering, impersonation schemes, investment pitches and romance scams are increasingly targeting older adults.

“Financial security is about more than protecting assets — it’s about protecting confidence, independence and peace of mind,” Janet Koopman, president of Fairway SAFE, said in a statement. “Our mission is to give seniors and their families the knowledge and resources they need to recognize potential threats, ask questions without fear, and make informed financial decisions.”

To mark the launch, Fairway will host a free national webinar, “Stay Safe: Protecting Yourself from Scams & Financial Abuse,” on July 29. The one-hour session will feature attorney and fraud prevention expert Steven J. J. Weisman. It’s designed to provide practical steps attendees can apply immediately to better protect themselves and their families.

The webinar, open to seniors, caregivers and financial professionals, including reverse mortgage professionals, will cover:

• The scope of financial scams and elder exploitation
• Common tactics scammers use to gain trust and manipulate victims
• Populations that may be most vulnerable and why
• Emerging fraud trends affecting older adults
• Practical steps to protect personal finances and loved ones

“Education remains one of the most effective tools we have in the fight against financial fraud,” Weisman said in the news release. “Helping people recognize the warning signs before they become victims can make an enormous difference.”

The session will be held Wednesday, July 29, beginning at 2 p.m. ET and will be moderated by Koopman. Registration is available here.

Beyond the initial webinar, Fairway SAFE plans to grow its programming with additional webinars, educational materials, community partnerships and advocacy initiatives centered on fraud prevention and financial literacy for seniors.

This article was generated using HousingWire Automation and reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication.