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COURIER LIFE, APRIL 15-21, 2022
sponsored by
Fraud Prevention Resource • AARP Fraud Watch Network:
• For support and guidance on what to
do next and how to avoid scams in the
future. Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network
Helpline: 1-877-908-3360 or visit
AARP.org/fraudwatchnetwork
• For emotional support online for people
a„ ected by fraud, visit aarp.org/
fraudsupport
• Federal Trade Commission: Report
identity theˆ and create a personal recovery
plan based on your situation at
Here is a list of documents you should
shred:
• Old documents: Papers showing your
Social Security number, birth date,
signature, account numbers, passwords,
or PIN numbers.
• Banking: Canceled or unused checks.
Shred deposit slips and ATM and credit
card receipts once you receive your
monthly statements.
• Credit Cards: Preapproved credit card
applications and incentive/giˆ checks
from credit card companies.
• Medical: unneeded medical bills.
• Investments: Investment account
statements.
• Obsolete ID cards: Expired driver’s licenses,
medical insurance cards, and
passports.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam,
you can stop a scam.
New York
IdentityTheˆ .gov or 1-877-IDTHEFT
• To report Social Security fraud, call the
Social Security Administration’s fraud hotline
800-269-0271.
• To report tax fraud, contact the Internal
Revenue Service at 1-800-829-0433
• To stop telemarketing calls, register your
phone numbers on the Do Not Call Registry
website at donotcall.gov. (You can also
report unwanted calls are still coming in
aˆ er you register.)
• To verify if a person works for the U.S.
Dept. of Veteran A‚ airs (VA), call the VA
at 1-800-MyVA411. To find your state VA
agency for info on benefits at nasdva.us
• To verify if a charity is a legitimate
organization, go to charitynavigator.org
• To opt-out of pre-screened o‚ ers:
optoutscreen.com or 1-888-5-OPT-OUT.
FREE Contactless Shredding Events Across
NY State
AARP NY is sponsoring a series of free contactless
drive-through shredding events at
several locations around the state. You may
bring up to three bags of paper to shred per
vehicle. Metal, plastic, and other materials
may damage shredders and will not be accepted.
Shredding trucks will stay on-site for
the time scheduled or until they reach capacity.
You may check the online schedule for
an event close to your area at aarpny.qrd.by/
contactlessshred2022 or scan the QR code
below:
Protect Yourself From
Scammers Preying on Seniors
Continued from front cover of pullout
Reporting financial scams is the first step to
addressing the crime and this step helps law
enforcement agencies and other authorities
to stop those committing further fraud and
crimes. The next step is to understand that victims
of fraud have done nothing wrong and
should not be ashamed or afraid to contact authorities
for help. A crime was committed and
targeted them, and older adults should feel
comfortable reporting this crime and pursuing
the next steps. Finally, victims of fraud will receive
a case worker who will assist them at no
cost when it comes to reporting to federal, state
and local levels.
To learn more about how to protect yourself
and loved ones from scammers and financial
exploitation, visit the AARP Scam and Fraud
Alert page.
New Yorkers can also have important documents
and credit or debit card information
shredded all across New York State.
If you or someone you know is a victim of elder
fraud, call this hotline at 1-833–FRAUD–11.
Sources: AARP Fraud Watch Network, The National
Council on Aging, and the Department of Justice’s
O ice for Victims
/nasdva.us
/aarp.org
/donotcall.gov
/fraudwatchnetwork
/charitynavigator.org
/optoutscreen.com
