Mayors and city leaders from across the country gathered recently in Washington, DC for the 94th Winter Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors. The convening underscored the growing role cities play in keeping residents safe.
Civint holds a seat on USCM’s business council and was represented at the conference by CEO Sam Johnson and COO Rania Jamison. Johnson has been an active participant in USCM events for more than 15 years.
Financial Scams: Educating Residents to Safeguard their Future
The public safety theme echoed beyond just ensuring the physical safety of residents. A panel examined the threats and realities of financial scams that residents across demographics face in today’s rapidly changing technology landscape.
Moderated by Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa, the panel discussion featured Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and John Durrant, Head of Deposits, Payments, and Business Banking, Consumer Banking and Lending with Wells Fargo & Company
Durrant and Mayor Nichols effectively highlighted how scams target the most vulnerable members of the population. They explored the complex landscape that local businesses and financial institutions must navigate to protect citizens.
“The real-world examples and strategies provided were eye-opening, particularly for mayors seeking to implement preventive measures in their cities,” says Johnson. He pointed to a specific example Mayor Castor described about her own mother being swindled.
Session participants left the discussion with actionable information offered that included resources for community education, guidance on fostering partnerships with the private sector, and steps city leaders can take to combat emerging fraud trends.
“For a topic that can often feel overwhelming, the panel made it accessible and solution-oriented,” Johnson says. “I believe the panel provided a lot of education on the challenges their citizens (particularly the most vulnerable) are facing and what the private sector in their communities is having to navigate.”
