Free online sessions focus on avoiding scams and protecting and wallets as Valentine’s Day approaches
FOLSOM — With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, SAFE Credit Union is offering a pair of free public webinars aimed at helping people navigate love, money and the growing threat of romance scams that often spike during the holiday season.
The February webinars are designed to help individuals and couples build healthier financial communication while also learning how to identify and avoid online fraud schemes that exploit emotional connections.
“It’s OK for couples to talk about finances. It’s no longer taboo,” said Savannah Brown, SAFE Credit Union’s community development specialist and a certified financial educator. “To have a healthy partnership, you have to build trust by talking about how you each approach money and ensure you’re both heading toward the same goals.”
Brown will present two no-pressure online sessions open to the public. “Couples and Cash: Navigating Money Conversations in Relationships” is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10, followed by “Protect Your Heart & Wallet: Avoiding Romance Scams” on Thursday, Feb. 19. Each webinar runs 35 minutes beginning at 11 a.m. and includes a 10-minute question-and-answer segment. Registration is available at safecu.org/events.
The “Couples and Cash” webinar focuses on financial topics many couples tend to avoid, including establishing trust, managing different spending habits, setting shared financial goals, and resolving conflict tied to money.
“This webinar is a good reminder that communicating about money — the good, the bad and everything in between — is a great habit to build,” Brown said. “It’s really about creating transparency and trust in relationships.”
The second webinar places its focus squarely on romance scams, which Brown said continue to rise as scammers take advantage of new technology and emotional vulnerability — particularly around Valentine’s Day.
“We are seeing a rise in these romance scams, especially with advancements in AI,” Brown said. “Scammers target people who feel lonely, impersonate a love interest and use imagery or communication that feels real. They then ask for money with some promised benefit. Before people realize what’s happening, they’ve lost their hard-earned cash.”
During the session, Brown will discuss how these scams work, common red flags, defense strategies, and real-world examples to help participants better protect themselves.
A resident of Loomis, Brown combines her financial education background with extensive community outreach experience. She works with several local and nonprofit organizations, including Saint John’s Program for Real Change and City of Refuge of Sacramento, to promote financial well-being across the region.
SAFE Credit Union offers multiple free financial education webinars each month for both members and the public as part of its commitment to providing accessible, no-cost financial education for people of all ages.
For additional information or to register, visit safecu.org/events.
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