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AARP AARP States New York Scams & Fraud

Every Two Seconds, Someone’s Identity is Stolen: Fight Back Against Fraud with AARP’s “Operation: Stop Scams”

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New Yorkers Can Shred Personal Documents at 14 Free Events Providing Secure Document Destruction From Buffalo to Long Island

New Yorkers fought back against fraud today and helped protect themselves from identity theft by shredding truckloads of sensitive personal documents as part of “ Operation: Stop Scams,” a series of free shredding events sponsored by AARP New York around the state.

AARP New York, joined by officials from the New York Attorney General’s office, City Council and New York City Police Department, launched the initiative today with a free document shredding event in Midtown Manhattan. There, officials warned consumers about the growing problem of identity theft and provided important tips on how to protect themselves.

The event was one of 14 being held in New York State this week and next. AARP will host a total of more than 150 free local events in nearly every state and the District of Columbia through May 16, 2017.

Identity theft is a pernicious problem. Every two seconds someone’s identity is stolen and 15.4 million Americans were victimized by identity fraud last year— up 16 percent from 2015. A whopping 90 percent of New York Generation Xers and Baby Boomers called the prevalence of fraud, including identity theft, a “significant problem” for New Yorkers – with 63 percent saying it’s a “very significant problem,” according to a 2016 AARP NY/Siena College survey.

Last year, New York State residents registered over 112,000 complaints about fraud with the Federal Trade Commission. In the New York City metro area, the FTC received more than 23,000 reports of identity theft alone.

“Identity thieves are constantly coming up with new and creative ways to take advantage of victims – especially older New Yorkers,” said Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. “AARP’s shredding events are a good opportunity to prevent scammers from getting ahold of your sensitive personal information, and I’m pleased New Yorkers are taking advantage of this chance to help keep identity thieves at bay.”

“Identity theft is one of the most prevalent types of fraud encountered by people age 50 and over,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “By doing something as simple as shredding their documents, New Yorkers can safeguard their identity—along with their hard-earned credit rating and retirement savings—from unscrupulous thieves. AARP New York is pleased to see the success of these events year after year, and we encourage all New Yorkers to take advantage of this important free service.”

Additional Operation: Stop Scams events will take place throughout the state:

New York City:

Manhattan: April 24, 1-5pm, Penn South Cooperative, 26th Street between 8th and 9th Ave

Brooklyn: April 26, 11am-2pm, Christian Cultural Center, 120-20 Flatlands Ave

Harlem: April 29, 9am-noon, Esplanade Gardens, 2569 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd

Staten Island: May 1, 11am-2pm, Conference House Park, 298 Satterlee Street

Bronx: May 3, 11am-2pm, Bronx Borough Hall, 851 Grand Concourse

Queens: May 4, 11am-2pm, Bowne Park, 32nd Avenue and 156th Street

Long Island:

Blue Point: April 23, 2-4pm, Bayport Bluepoint Library 203 Blue Point Ave, Blue Point, NY 11715

Freeport: April 25, 10am-1pm, Freeport Recreational Center 130 E Merrick Rd, Freeport, NY 11520

Greenlawn: April 30, 2-4pm, Harborfields Public Library 31 Broadway, Greenlawn, NY 11740

Upstate New York:

Albany: April 24, 9am-noon, Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center, 340 Whitehall Road

Depew: April 25, 9am-noon, Grapevine Banquet Facility, 333 Dick Road

Rochester: April 26, 9am-noon, Temple Beth El, 139 Winton Road

Syracuse: April 27, 9am-noon, Central New York Regional, Market 2100 Park Street

Queensbury: May 5, 10am-1pm, Queensbury Senior Center Queensbury Center Town Complex

Shredding services are being performed by third parties. All documents and information provided for shredding are subject to those parties’ privacy and informational security policies. All events end at the listed time or until the shredding truck reaches capacity. A full list of Operation Stop Scam events in New York State can be found at www.aarp.org/nystopscams.

For New Yorkers who cannot attend an Operation: Stop Scams event, security experts urge consumers to shred the following types of materials to avoid having sensitive information compromised:

  • Old documents: Papers that carry 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/gift 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.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network launched in 2013 as a free resource for people of all ages. The website provides information about fraud and scams, prevention tips from experts, an interactive scam-tracking map, fun educational quizzes, and video presentations featuring Fraud Watch Network Ambassador Frank Abagnale. Users may sign up for “Watchdog Alert” emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling.

 

PRESS CONTACT: Jordan McNerney, jmcnerney@aarp.org; 347-504-3423

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