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Senior Citizen Alerts
Most Identity Theft Committed by Someone You Know
Home-bound elderly may be among most vulnerable
July 26, 2006 - Fifty-three percent of identity
theft victims last year reported their identity stolen by a friend, a
relative, an employee, or an acquaintance. The home-bound elderly, who
receive assistance from home services and others, may be particularly
vulnerable, due to their frailty and dependence. The National Crime
Prevention Council today began airing public service radio spots to help
senior citizens and others learn more about preventing identity theft.
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Senior Alerts |
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Identity theft affects more than 10 million people
a year and 3.6 million households. According to the U.S. Department of
Justice, "Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to
all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another
person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception,
typically for economic gain."
"Few crimes today have made people more anxious
than identity theft," said NCPC President and CEO Alfonso E. Lenhardt.
"The good news is that identity theft can often be
prevented. Educating people on how to reduce their risk of becoming
victims is NCPC's top priority. Many of us do not realize how often our
everyday actions can put us at risk."
The initiative launched today is in partnership
with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and funded by the
U.S. Department of Justice. NCPC's identity theft campaign aims to help
consumers take practical steps to protect their personal information.
Last year, NCPC partnered with the NAB to produce three television PSAs
that were released in late June at the NAB's 2005 Service to America
Gala.
"NAB is pleased to enlist the continuing support of
local radio and television stations in curbing the growing threat of
identity theft," said NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr.
"Broadcasters are uniquely positioned to help
educate Americans on this menace to society, and working with our
partners at the National Crime Prevention Council, the NAB will use all
of our resources to help mobilize citizens into taking protective
actions."
NCPC's new publication, Preventing Identity Theft:
A Guide for Consumers, complements the new radio PSAs and confronts this
exploding crime head on, telling readers what they can do to prevent it.
It provides facts and figures and describes various types of identity
crimes, then tells readers what they can do to prevent the crimes and
avoid becoming victims.
For those unlucky enough to have their identities
stolen, the publication provides step-by-step instructions for recovery
and repair of the damage left in the thief's wake. The colorful, 12-page
booklet is full of information and resources that can help consumers be
identity-smart and keep this crime from spreading further -- or
happening to them.
About the National Crime Prevention Council
The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is a
private, nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to enable
people to create safer and more caring communities by addressing the
causes of crime and violence and reducing the opportunities for crime to
occur. NCPC manages public service advertising under the National
Citizens' Crime Prevention Campaign -- symbolized by McGruff the Crime
Dog and his "Take A Bite Out Of Crime" slogan -- and acts as secretariat
for the Crime Prevention Coalition of America, more than 300 national,
federal, state, and local organizations representing thousands of
constituents who are committed to preventing crime.
NCPC is funded through a variety of government
agencies, corporate and private foundations, and donations from private
individuals. NCPC also participates in the Combined Federal Campaign
(#0840 on the pledge card). For more information on crime prevention
issues, visit
http://www.ncpc.org/ .
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