Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number, and mother's maiden name, in order to impersonate them. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which includes, but is not limited to, taking over the victim's financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for loans, credit cards, and social security benefits, renting apartments, and establishing services with utility and phone companies.

• Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends

• Don't leave your purse and/or wallets in unattended vehicles

• Deposit outgoing mail in U.S. Postal Service collection boxes

• Tear up or shred unwanted documents that contain personal information

• Put your trash out on the day that it is collected

• Review your consumer credit report annually

• Report lost or stolen credit cards to the issuer immediately

• Destroy expired/old credit cards and drivers licenses

• Sign your credit cards - before someone else does

• Memorize your Social Security number and passwords.

• Don't list your Social Security number on your checks

• Match credit card receipts against monthly bills

• Check your financial statements for accuracy

• Call 888-5OPT-OUT: Limit the amount of credit cards you receive in the mail

• ALWAYS safeguard birth certificates, credit history reports, and any statements that contain personal information
  

  IF YOU FIND YOURSELF THE VICTIM OF AN IDENTITY THEFT

  Immediately report the fraud to the 3 major credit bureaus. Have them flag your file with a "fraud alert." and add a victim's statement to the report. Also ask for a free credit report from each of the 3 credit bureaus.

  Make a police report. Give the police as much a information on the theft as possible: How the fraud was discovered, activity to date of fraud (in chronological order), affected accounts and losses, and any information about how the imposter got your information.

  Call all of your creditors. Inform them you are a victim of Identity Theft. Have them close your accounts and find out if you will be held responsible for the charges. **Request information on all of the fraudulent accounts be sent to you for your files, and so you can copy them for the police investigation.

  Review your credit reports carefully. Look for changes in old accounts and look for newly opened accounts. Check your name, address and Social Security number for any changes. Have the credit agencies remove all information in our credit report that results from the theft. Order new credit reports every three months until your situation is cleared up.

  Contact the credit bureaus in writing. Repeat what you said in the telephone conversation. Send them the police report case number and an ID Theft Affidavit. Send your letters certified mail with a return receipt requested. Keep a copy of each letter for your records.

  Obtain and use an ID Theft Affidavit. The form is available on the Federal Trade Commission's website: www.consumer.gov/idtheft/affidavit.htm

  Write to your creditors. Write a letter to each creditor. Repeat what was said in your phone conversation with their employee. Give them the police report number and send them an ID Theft Affidavit. Send the letters by certified mail, and request a return receipt. Keep copies of your letters.

  Continue to review your bills carefully and report any new fraudulent charges to the creditor
  

• Frauds\con games, which are the greatest crime threats to seniors
• Banking\how to protect your savings from criminals looking to gain access
• Safety tips while walking\exercising outside the home
• Personal safety
• Making your home safe and secure
• Community involvement: how to identify and report crime
• Identity theft                                                                       

THE FOLLOWING ARE NUMBERS THAT SENIORS CAN CALL TO ENSURE THEIR WELL BEING:

• Johnson County Area Agency on Aging: 913-715-8861\toll free 888-214-4404
• Medicaid Provider Fraud or Abuse (through the Kansas Attorney General's office.) 1-866-551-6328 toll free\785-368-6220
• Domestic\Community abuse: 1-800-922-5330 toll free
• Nursing Home, or Hospital, Home Health abuse or neglect: 1-800-842-0078
• Leawood Police Department: 913-642-7700 (non-emergency)\911

Working with your local police department, along with social service programs and grass-roots community groups like neighborhood watch programs, can lessen the fear of crime among the elderly and help keep them safe.

For more information on scheduling of this program or to schedule a guest speaker on this topic, contact either Officer Brett Leathers or Officer Paul Day.