ROMANCE SCAMS ... Santa Clara County topped the Bay Area list and " older adults are the most targeted group " in the growing incidence of romance scams, according to a February announcement from the FBI's San Francisco office. Money lost to romance scams in the Bay Area, by all age groups, went from just over $35 million in 2020 to $64 million in 2021, the agency said. In the 60 and older age group, 193 victims last year reported losing more than $18 million. "The FBI San Francisco has seen a rising trend in which romance scammers are persuading individuals to send money to invest or trade cryptocurrency," the agency said, advising people against sending money, trading or investing on the advice of someone they've met solely online or disclosing financial status or sensitive information to an untrusted individual.

TECHNOLOGY SERIES ... Senior Planet @Avenidas, will present a Silicon Valley Speaker Series on Fridays through the month of March. Topics include personal finance, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The free, online events are Fridays from 9. to 10 a.m. To join, go to seniorplanet.org/locations/palo-alto and click on "Silicon Valley Speaker Series."

AGING WISELY ... Insurance and estate-planning expert Denise Michaud will discuss the financial aspects of having a chronic illness on Wednesday, March 16. Michaud will outline new government insurance programs that could pay for some future long-term care expenses. Michaud will assess the pros and cons of the mandatory payroll tax for long-term care that was recently implemented in Washington, and review the program that could pass in California. The free, virtual presentation is scheduled to be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as part of the Avenidas "Aging Wisely" town hall series. To register, email [email protected]

RETIREMENT PLANNING... "Your retirement could last up to 30 years, yet most people spend more time planning a vacation than their retirement," says certified retirement coach Lyn Christenson, who will offer a free webinar on the benefits of retirement planning beyond the financials on Wednesday, March 23, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. To register, email [email protected]