Chase Bank Targets Holiday Fraud Risks for New Orleans Seniors

Chase Bank hosted a fraud prevention workshop in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans on Thursday, aiming to prepare senior citizens for the increased risks of holiday shopping. The event focused on practical steps consumers can take to verify transactions and protect their digital identities before spending increases.

Diana Holmes, vice president and community manager at Chase Bank, led the instructional session. She identified the older demographic as the primary target for financial predators during this time of year. "Our senior population is the most vulnerable," Holmes said.

Key recommendations from the bank included maintaining current contact information and enabling multifactor authentication on online accounts. Holmes emphasized that two-factor verification helps distinguish a legitimate user from a fraudster attempting unauthorized access. She also advised attendees to remove unused apps and avoid entering sensitive financial data into public artificial intelligence tools or unverified software.

Local officials reinforced the need for vigilance. New Orleans Police Department Captain Jennifer Dupree told the group that callers do not need to engage with unknown numbers. She recommended that residents call back the sender to verify the legitimacy of the request rather than responding to the initial contact.

The urgency of the session reflects recent financial losses in the state. The Federal Trade Commission reported that Louisiana consumers lost more than $101 million to fraud and scams in 2025. Christopher Gallardo Jr., a Chase relationship banker, noted that he assists clients with these issues frequently. "At least once or twice a day, I help a client," Gallardo said. He added that while some customers recover partial funds, others are less fortunate.

Residents attending the workshop expressed intent to apply the new strategies. Nita Jefferson, a New Orleans resident, described her current method for handling suspected scams. She said she gives callers a police number to call back, a tactic she believes discourages future contact. Jefferson said the session will aid her confidence when she is out shopping.