Information Specifically for Seniors

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Seniors are a favorite target of scam artists and others who want to make a quick buck. For example, seniors are at risk of losing money in fraudulent investment schemes and are also at risk of losing their homes when they are used as security, in some instances unknowingly. These two articles from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) describe some of the pitfalls.

• Investment Risks
• Home Equity Loans: Borrower Beware!

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has assembled some resources to help seniors avoid fraudulent investments.

Identity theft is also a concern. Identity theft can be a stand-alone scam or part of other scams (such as some of the fraudulent investment schemes). These articles from the FTC describe ID theft and what you can do to prevent it, recover from it, and protect your personal information.

• ID Theft: What's It All About
• Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft
• Privacy: Tips for Protecting Your Personal Information
• Test your ID Theft knowledge with the quiz: ID Theft Faceoff! from OnGuard Online

Here's another site that providea information to help seniors become more informed.

USA.gov Senior Citizens' Resources provides links to government (federal, state, and local) and non-government sites in these areas: consumer protection; education, jobs, and volunteerism; end-of-life issues; federal and state agencies; health; housing; laws and regulations; money and taxes; retirement; travel and recreation.

This handout for Remar Sutton's Privacy seminars was prepared by Remar Sutton, CCU's StraightTalk spokesperson & Remar Sutton & Associates, for Corning StraightTalk, October 2006. All rights reserved.