Arizona leads the nation in per capita identity thefts
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will host a town hall for seniors on preventing identity theft. The forum will include a presentation by the Office of Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
For the past four years Arizona has led the nation in per capita identity thefts, which includes crimes such as using stolen credit card numbers, filing fake loan applications and Internet scams.
A recent report by the Federal Trade Commission shows that of the 50 municipal areas nationwide with the highest number of identity theft complaints, seven are in Arizona and two - Tucson and Sierra Vista/Douglas - are in the 8th Congressional District. Last year, Arizonans filed 18,335 fraud and ID theft complaints with the FTC.
Giffords believes that educating consumers is the best way to combat the problem and protect seniors.
A discussion of issues important to seniors will follow the presentation. Giffords' district staff will be on hand to assist with individual problems involving federal agencies.
WHO: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the office Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard
WHEN: 12:30 p.m.- 2 p.m., Monday, February 26, 2007
WHERE: Pima Council on Aging, 8467 E. Broadway Blvd. (North side of Broadway, between Pantano and Camino Seco)