CONTACT

Amy Nofziger

Telephone: 720-947-5306

AARP ElderWatch, a program with the Colorado Attorney General and the AARP Foundation fights the financial abuse of older adults. From February 6-11, agencies across the County will hold events and share materials to raise awareness about crimes perpetrated against older consumers. This year’s theme is “"Identity Theft: When Fact Becomes Fiction." Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses another person's personal information to assume that person's identity. From that point, stolen information might be used for drug dealing, theft, and fraudulent bank and/or credit card transactions. In short these thieves do a lot of damage to innocent people.

According to the United States Postal Inspector, Identity Theft is the fasting growing crime in America and last year 9.9 million Americans were victims of this crime. AARP ElderWatch educates consumers on some simple steps to protect themselves.

• Review your credit report from the three credit bureaus annually at a minimum. Follow-up to correct any incorrect or fraudulent notations on the report.
• Examine your drivers’ license; verify that your social security number is not listed on the license. If it is, go the nearest drivers’ license office and asked to be issued a new one. Even if there is a fee, it is worth the protection making the change will provide.
• Copy all credit cards and their customer service numbers and store the list in a safe place. If your information is lost or stolen, this list will provide you with the numbers you need to notify creditors, banks and others.
• Remember never give any personal/financial information over the phone to anyone who calls you. You don’t know who you are REALLY speaking with and fraud professionals are skilled liars, manipulators and thieves.

AARP ElderWatch documents cases of fraud and exploitation in Colorado. In 2004 over $3,000,000 was lost/potentially lost to fraud. Don’t let yourself be the next victim! Consumers can call 800-222-4444, select option 2 for AARP ElderWatch to make a report or get request assistance.

AARP ElderWatch, 1301 Pennsylvania Street, Suite 280, Denver, CO 80203, 303-222-4444, 303-831-6217 fax, www.aarpelderwatch.org

AARP ElderWatch is administered through the AARP Foundation, and is co-sponsored by AARP and the Office of the Colorado Attorney General. The AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.