Personal security is about more than physical safety. It also means making sure no one has acquired your Social Security number, financial account numbers or other information that thieves can use to steal your identity and money.
Elder Abuse can happen anywhere, anytime. It’s estimated that older adults lose about $3 billion annually due to financial exploitation and abuse. The effects go beyond the checkbook; it can cause emotional distress, deterioration of physical health, and loss of independence. Only about 1 out of 14 cases are actually reported to authorities. If you suspect someone is being abused, please report it to local law enforcement or the Alabama Department of Senior Services (1-800-243-5463).
Just after filing taxes is a good time to shred old documents to keep them from falling into the hands of identity thieves. More than 3,600 Alabamians filed complaints of identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission in 2017.