Elderly Islanders should be sure to check the credentials of anyone calling themselves a "senior specialist," state Commissioner of Securities Corinna Wong said this week.

During the past two years, Wong's agency has received 15 complaints involving people representing themselves as senior specialists.

By using the designation, people without the necessary training on important elderly issues are creating a false sense of security, Wong said in a statement.

"The training they receive is often nothing more than marketing and selling techniques that target the elderly," she said.

Nationally the North American Securities Administration is reporting more problems with people who say they are senior specialists but are not properly licensed by state regulators.

Many of the problems with such people in Hawai'i stem from a so-called specialist reviewing an elder's assets and recommending annuities that aren't good investments for them, said Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs spokeswoman Christine Hirasa.

She recommended checking whether a senior specialist is licensed before doing business with the person.

"Do your homework — check with the Securities Enforcement Branch to see if the person is licensed, or if they have a complaint issued," Hirasa said.

Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com.