Baylake Bank Recognizes Older Americans Month
Five Tips to Help Protect Older Americans from Financial Fraud

STURGEON BAY, WI - May 1, 2015- In recognition of Older Americans Month in May, created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Baylake Bank is providing tips and advice to prevent financial exploitation of older adults.

"Seniors are increasingly becoming targets for financial abuse" said Dennis McIntosh, Security Officer for Baylake Bank. "People over 50 years old control over 70 percent of the nation's wealth and fraudsters are using new tactics to take advantage of the growing number of older Americans."

Bank employees are frequently trained to identify red flags commonly associated with financial abuse, from unusual recent withdrawals to a new person accompanying the older customer to the bank.

However, elder financial abuse is best combated when bankers and customers work together. To help older Americans protect themselves, Baylake Bank is offering following these tips:

• Keep personal information private. Never share your social security number, account information, or personal details over the phone or internet, unless you initiated contact with a trusted source.

• Shred! Shred! Shred! Shred receipts, bank statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them away so fraudsters can't piece together your personal information.

• Don't let a so-called "advisor" pressure you. Never let a new or untrusted "advisor" pressure you into sharing personal or financial details. He or she could be a fraudster.

• Check your credit report. Customers should check their credit report at least one a year to ensure no new credit cards or accounts have been opened by criminals in your name. To receive a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.annualcreditreport.com, or call 1-877-322-8228.

• Never rush into a financial decision. Ask for details in writing and get a second opinion from a trusted financial advisor or attorney before signing any document you don't understand.

In support of combating identity theft, the public is invited to the Baylake Bank Community Shred Day on Saturday, June 6 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. The event will be held in the Baylake Bank Employee Parking Lot in Sturgeon Bay; Enter from Jefferson Street, Exit on 3rd Avenue. Limited shred space is available-service available until the truck is full. Limited to individuals only please.

Free will donations will be accepted to benefit Money Management Counselors, a community organization that helps families and individuals improve the quality of their lives by teaching financial literacy and providing tools to promote the application of sound financial principles.

Baylake Bank is a subsidiary of Baylake Corp. (NASDAQ: BYLK), a one-bank holding company headquartered in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Baylake Bank provides banking and financial services from community financial centers located throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Baylake Bank, Member FDIC. An equal housing lender.



distributed by