EDMOND —
Edmond resident Elaine Dodd has made a difference in the lives of many Oklahomans.
She spent 22 years in law enforcement doing investigative work for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, where she was the agency’s only female agent at the time. She investigated white-collar crimes and trained officers and medical professionals. In 1992, she became the nation’s first female director of a statewide law enforcement agency as head of the agency.
After working with Leadership Oklahoma for six years, Dodd joined the Oklahoma Bankers Association as head of a new fraud division.
Today she is a fraud investigator and the vice president of the fraud division at the Oklahoma Bankers Association. It is the only banking association fraud division in the nation, according to the AG’s office.
Thursday morning, Dodd was honored by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, which presented her with the 2013 Brad Edwards Consumer Champion Award for her work on behalf of Oklahoma seniors and defrauded customers.
She was recognized at the Capitol in both the House and Senate chambers.
Lea Ann Jackson, chief operating officer for the Oklahoma Bankers Association, nominated Dodd, saying she goes beyond her required duties to help the community, including taking calls after hours from worried Oklahomans.
“Because of her passion for the people of Oklahoma, Elaine insisted that her position evolve,” Jackson said. “She speaks to individuals during and outside of work hours and even when out of state on vacation to try to prevent them from becoming a victim or to minimize the damage.”
Dodd’s duties include traveling across the state talking to groups of seniors about how to avoid scams as well as training bank employees, accountants and other professionals on how to recognize fraud.
She is a charter member of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Financial Exploitation of the Elderly and has helped organize and support groups of fraud investigators in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton and Durant.
Attorney General Scott Pruitt said Dodd’s dedication to educating seniors, bankers and customers about fraud inspires all public servants who serve to protect citizens.
“She has made a significant contribution to the education and awareness of older and at-risk Oklahomans to help protect them from exploitation,” Pruitt said. “This honor is well-deserved.”
Dodd said every day she wakes up knowing she has a chance to make a difference in someone’s life. She said that when she was with the OBN, she often worked with lawmakers, and it was good to be with them again.
“It’s just such an honor,” Dodd said of receiving the award.
Dodd said Oklahoma benefits from active networking by representatives of organizations including law enforcement, banks and adult protective services.
Consumer impacts of financial crimes include emotional and psychological harm, loss of confidence in financial institutions, asset loss, criminal arrests and an average loss of $3,278 per victim in counterfeit check schemes; 20 percent of the victims are 70-plus years old, according to a recent presentation by Dodd on consumer education.
Criminals prey on consumer vulnerabilities due to greed, financial difficulties, job loss and lack consumer awareness. Financial crimes cause significant loses to institutions and customers. Scammers target senior citizens because they are less likely to consult friends, family or a financial institution and the elderly generally have savings.
Each year, the Brad Edwards Consumer Champion Award is presented in conjunction with Oklahoma Consumer Protection Day at the Capitol. Edwards was a longtime consumer advocate for KFOR-4.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108
Local News
Related Photos
-
PHOTO PROVIDED First Assistant Attorney General Tom Bates presents the 2013 Brad Edwards Consumer Champion Award to Elaine Dodd with the Oklahoma Bankers Association. Pictured with Bates and Dodd is Ashton Edwards, daughter of Brad Edwards.
Discussion
Attorney general honors Edmond woman
- Local News
-
-
Obama plans Oklahoma visit to tour tornado areas
President Barack Obama is expected to visit tornado-ravaged areas of Oklahoma on Sunday and thank volunteers and first-responders for their efforts.
HOW TO HELP | STORM PHOTO GALLERY | EDMOND SCHEDULES DEBRIS PICKUP -
TIMELAPSE: Take a tour through the damage in Moore
Take a driving tour of the damage in Moore caused by Monday's tornado.
-
Moore mayor wants tornado shelters in new homes
Moore Mayor Glenn Lewis wants tornado shelters in all new homes in his city, where an EF-5 tornado damaged or destroyed more than 12,500 homes Monday afternoon. A proposed ordinance would require a shelter inside or outside each new residence.
-
Rescue workers, tornado victims find respite in college dorms
Monday’s tornado put an estimated 20,000 people out of their houses, which were damaged or destroyed. Some of those victims — and the rescue workers who’ve come to help them — are staying a few miles south, in dormitories at the University of Oklahoma.
More than 300 individuals and families left homeless by the storm are staying at OU, where the university is providing beds, hot water and meals, often delivered by a familiar face. The university also housed 287 first-responders from Texas, Nebraska, Kansas and Tennessee. -
Mom delivered baby as tornado struck
Shayla Taylor’s second child was moments from birth as an EF-5 tornado bore down on Moore Medical Center on Monday afternoon.
Her labor was too far along to move her to safety with the rest of those in the hospital, her nurses decided. So as her husband, Jerome, and their 4-year-old son, Shaiden, went downstairs with the others, she and four nurses stayed upstairs and braced for the worst. -
Storm-weary residents return to their homes
Digging through the rubble of an unrecognizable city, people in this Oklahoma City suburb found familiar pieces of life before Monday’s tornado.
Work crews recovered a dresser that belonged to Rachel Hernandez from the remains of her home near Southeast Fourth Street and Bryant Avenue. Inside was a treasured photo of her grandmother at age 17.
“I had an entire collection of family photos in that dresser,” said Hernandez, who also salvaged a German antique pot, as well as some mementoes she didn’t recognize. -
Oklahoma tornado victims identified
Ten children — including two infants — are among those killed by a monster tornado that slashed through parts of Oklahoma City and this suburb Monday afternoon.
-
Toll of Terror: Moore tornado by the numbers
The tale of the May 20 Moore and Oklahoma City tornado can partially be told just by the numbers. They include:
• 24: Killed, including 10 children. -
Commissioners present seniors community service awards
Commissioners Ray Vaughn and Brian Maughan presented awards for community service to several Oklahoma county seniors.
-
Faith community responds to Moore tornado victims
Inspired by teachings related to helping others in a time of need, members of faith-based groups are aiding victims of Monday’s killer tornado in Moore.
- More Local News Headlines
-
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
