The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed a standing-room crowd Wednesday for its August luncheon at Lakeland Golf Club, drawing what appeared to be one of the organization’s largest August gatherings in recent years.
Taylor Agee of Thrivent Financial was the featured speaker, addressing an increasingly important topic for both individuals and businesses: how to recognize and avoid financial scams.
Agee shared Thrivent’s “11 Red Flags to Help Identify Scams,” outlining common warning signs that can indicate a potential scam. Among the red flags discussed were unexpected contact, offers that seem too good to be true, pressure to act quickly, threats or intimidation, spelling and grammatical errors, and requests for upfront payments.
The presentation encouraged attendees to take a step back when confronted with a suspicious request. Agee emphasized the importance of slowing down, independently verifying information and being especially cautious when someone attempts to create a sense of urgency.
Thrivent Financial sponsored the August luncheon, while OrthoSouth was featured at the Spotlight Table. Lunch was catered by The Owners Box, and live music from Josh Cosby and Jeremy Stanfill was sponsored by the Lakeland Arts Council.
Chamber Golf Tournament Set for October
The Chamber is also making preparations for its annual golf tournament, scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, at Lakeland Golf Club.
Check-in and lunch will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a noon shotgun start. Registration is $600 for a four-person team or $150 for an individual player.
Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Lakeland School System extracurricular academic programs and sports booster clubs.
Businesses and individuals interested in playing, sponsoring the tournament or getting involved are encouraged to contact the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce for additional information.
