NEWPORT-Anyone interested in learning what scams to be aware of, as well as learning about banking products, such as IRAs and annuities, may attend an open informational forum on Tuesday, May 5, at 5:30 p.m. at National Bank of Tennessee.

No reservations are required.

The bank is located at 262 East Broadway, in Newport, across from the First Baptist Church.

The purpose of the meeting is to answer people's questions about scams and financial products, said Keith Ketterman, president and CEO of NBT, in his office on Friday.

"You have to be careful wherever you go," said Ketterman with regard to identity theft.

Some of the more popular current scams include false promises of easy work as a "secret shopper," false claims that a citizen has won the lottery, and authentic-looking checks from fictitious banks that people are urged to cash locally and then send back a portion of the money.

Almost all scam artists have this in common: getting someone's money and/or personal information such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, etc., so that accounts can be accessed and used fraudulently.

Ketterman said the event on Tuesday will also be an opportunity to inform people about banking procedures and products, such as FDIC insurance on accounts, advantages for first-time homebuyers, mortgage lending, investments, retirement accounts such as annuities, and the stock market.

Ketterman said anyone planning to attend the forum should contact Linda Smith at NBT, at 625-6218, beforehand and leave a phone number. He said the reason for the phone number is so that contact can be made if the location of the forum is changed to accommodate a big turnout.

He emphasized that Tuesday's event is open to everyone, whether they are customers of NTB, or not, and whether they reside in Newport, Cocke County, or somewhere else.