DALLAS, TX  – In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and to join the fight in standing up against elder abuse, Comerica Bank today announced it will lead elder fraud and financial exploitation workshops across Texas over the coming months. The free workshops will cover topics ranging from budgeting and financial planning to financial exploitation, fraud and what victims should do to seek help.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected and exploited. In the U.S., elders lose more than $2.6 billion annually due to elder financial abuse, according to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Aging.

“We’re looking forward to visiting seniors in the communities we serve across Texas to help educate them on common scams and offer tips for protection against fraud and financial exploitation,” said Denise Owens, Texas Fraud Investigator for Comerica Bank. “While elder abuse is a sensitive topic, it is one that must be addressed with family members, caregivers, neighbors and the community at large.”

Comerica recently hosted an elder abuse awareness workshop in Waxahachie at Country Lane Senior Center, and the next event will be held for residents and family members of Home Towne Senior Center in Tomball, Texas, on Wednesday, June 26, at 2 p.m. Central. Other similar events in markets Comerica serves in Texas are currently being scheduled, and those details will be announced to local media once confirmed.

In addition to hosting the events, Comerica Bank employees in Dallas and Houston have set up donation stations at select offices through the end of June to collect commonly-needed items for seniors, including personal articles, blankets and books. Once collected, these items will be donated to senior-focused non-profit organizations.

For awareness materials including prevention tips and fact sheets on elder abuse, please visit http://ncea.aoa.gov/Get_Involved/Awareness/Materials/index.aspx.

About World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. In addition, WEAAD is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. WEAAD serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

About Comerica

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $65.7 billion at March 31, 2014. To find us on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares.

Follow Comerica on Twitter at @ComericaCares and follow Comerica Chief Economist Robert Dye on Twitter at @Comerica_Econ