An information meeting, initiated by the Senior Citizens Division and in cooperation with the Israel Police and with the blessing of Mayor Yona Yahav, was held at the Milab Club in Kiryat Haim.
Following the alarming increase in the number of cases of fraud and abuse against senior citizens in Haifa, a special information meeting was held this week at the Milav Club in Kiryat Haim. The meeting, which was initiated by the Senior Citizens Division and encouraged by Mayor Yona Yahav, was held in cooperation with the Commander of the Zevulun Police Department, Lt. Col. Yaniv Suisa, and dealt with identifying fraud attempts, ways to cope, and practical tools for maintaining personal security. Dozens of residents participated in the lecture, and the event is the first meeting in a series that will continue next month in the Rapaport Hall.
How to identify an impostor and how to deal with a suspicious contact
The lecture was given by Chief of Staff Ricky Cohen Saban, Head of the Veterans Affairs Division at the Israel Police, who presented to the participants the methods of operation of imposters, from surprise phone calls to forging documents and impersonating representatives of official bodies.
Participants received practical tools for dealing with unexpected inquiries, with an emphasis on checking credibility, protecting personal information, and identifying early warning signs.
The meeting was held in the presence of the commander of the Zevulun station, Lt. Col. Yaniv Suisa.
Another fraud case was revealed this week: An elderly man was deceived by a "reserve soldier" impersonator
During the meeting, an example was given of a case that occurred this week in the Neve Sha'anan neighborhood, in which an 80-year-old man transferred a sum of money to an impostor who presented himself as a reserve soldier and even presented a fake "Order 8" on his mobile phone.
The case highlights the severity of the phenomenon and the need to increase awareness among the adult population.
"Our responsibility is to protect and warn"
Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Health Committee, Israel Savyon, Address the increase in the number of fraud cases:
"We are very concerned about the increase in fraud against senior citizens. We are doing everything we can: information meetings, cooperation with the police, and making information available, to protect the city's elderly residents."
He noted that the meeting in Kiryat Haim is the second in recent times, and that another meeting will be held on a larger scale: "Our responsibility is to protect, warn, and be available to the city's senior citizens and give them the tools to avoid similar cases."
The next meeting in the series
The next meeting will take place:
date: December 24, 2025
Time: 10: 30
מקום: Rappaport Hall, Haifa
in participation: Lt. Col. Ricky Cohen Saban, Haifa Station and Israel Police Headquarters
Support center available for senior citizens
Alongside the lectures, the Shmuel Gantz Senior Citizen Assistance Center is available to the public, providing support, guidance and assistance in a variety of areas:
Phone: 04-9923166