Media Advisory: State Leaders Gather to Create Solutions to Prevent Online Fraud Among Maine’s Older Adults

The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, University of Maine, AARP Maine and Maine Connectivity Authority to Host Two-Day Startup Challenge

In 2023, Maine people over 60 years old lost $7.1M to online scams. Nationally, those losses total $3.4 billion, representing an 11-percent increase since 2022 according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Older adults are increasingly targeted by predators who seek to exploit their lack of familiarity with the digital landscape.

To kick off ‘Digital Inclusion Week’ in Maine, Maine Connectivity Authority is bringing together leaders from all sectors to collaboratively explore this problem and identify creative solutions.

The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, Maine Connectivity Authority, AARP Maine, University of Maine’s Center on Aging, and University of Maine’s Foster Center for Innovation will lead a two-day summit for individuals from all backgrounds to develop solutions to protect older adults from online fraud. On Friday, a panel of business and cybersecurity experts will introduce the topic of the challenge and opportunity. On Saturday, participants will pitch an innovative idea and participate in entrepreneurship workshops. The outcome of the weekend’s event will be heightened awareness of these crimes and the ability to transform ideas into action. Winners of the pitch competition will earn a cash prize and have the opportunity for ongoing entrepreneurial support from The Roux Institute.

WHERE: Friday, October 4, 2024, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The option for virtual attendance is available on Friday, please reach out for more information.

WHERE: University of Maine Wells Conference Center
131 Munson Rd, Orono, ME 04469

WHO: Jessica Perez, Maine Connectivity Authority
Mark Fetterhoff, American Association for Retired People (AARP)
Andrew McCormack, Assistant U.S. Attorney for District of Maine
Chris Wolfel, The Roux Institute at Northeastern University
Lenard Kaye, University of Maine, Center on Aging
Polly Madson Cox, Elder Abuse Institute of Maine (EAIME)
Candice Simeoni, Kennebunk Police Department
Ashley McCurry, Defendify

About MCA: As Maine’s public agency leading statewide broadband expansion and digital equity, MCA is committed to facilitate equitable expansion of reliable internet for all Maine people; to build on historical progress for continued momentum in this expansion; and facilitate ‘future-proof’ broadband infrastructure development that is technologically sound and financially self-sufficient. In 2025, MCA will facilitate over $350M of public and private funding to ensure high-speed internet service is available to the final 29,000 locations in Maine. By 2024, MCA will fulfill a state commitment to offer a connection to the remaining Mainers that have no internet technology. Since 2022, MCA has facilitated the deployment of over $200 million of federal and state funding to help connect over 86,000 locations in Maine to affordable high-speed internet.

For media inquiries: Jenna Ingram, jingram@maineconnectivity.org