The Senior Scene

If you fall victim to fraud, it can really stress you out, not to mention damage your credit score and wallet.  We encourage you to be cautious of suspicious email, letters, and phone calls or any time someone asks for your personal information.

Generally, Social Security will not call or e-mail you and ask for your personal information, such as your Social Security number or banking information.  If someone contacts you and asks for this kind of information and claims to be from Social Security, do not give out your personal information without first contacting us to verify the validity of the request.  It could be an identity thief phishing for your personal information.  Contact our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Report suspicious calls to our Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or online at http://oig.ssa.gov using the “Fraud, Waste, and Abuse” link.  When making a report, please include as many of the following details as possible:

•             The alleged suspect(s) and victim(s) names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers;

•             Description of the fraud and the location where the fraud took place;

•             When and how the fraud was committed;

•             Why the person committed the fraud (if known); and

•             Who else has knowledge of the potential violation?

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America.  If you or anyone you know has been the victim of identity theft, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.idtheft.gov, or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261.

Misleading advertisers may victimize people who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.  Such companies offer Social Security services for a fee, even though the same services are available directly from us free of charge.  Especially upsetting are ads that make it appear as though they came directly from us.  By law, such advertisements must indicate that the company is not affiliated with Social Security.

If you see, what you believe is misleading advertising for Social Security services from a company that fails to say it is not affiliated with Social Security, report it to us at: Office of the Inspector General, Fraud Hotline, Social Security Administration, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235.  This goes for advertisements in print, online, or on television or radio.  Also, advise your state’s attorney general or consumer affairs office and the Better Business Bureau.  You can visit the Office of the Inspector General online at http://oig.ssa.gov and select the “Fraud, Waste, or Abuse” link.  Learn more about identity theft and misleading advertising by reading our publications on the subjects at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.  You may have enough stress already.  Do not get stressed over fraud.

Kirk Larson, who wrote this article, is a public affairs specialist for Social Security in western Washington.

King County Metro Transit and Senior Services’ transportation program have  expanded the free Hyde Shuttle community van service to Auburn.

The shuttles, which are lift-equipped, serve seniors who are 55 or older and people with disabilities. Rides are provided between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays to Auburn Senior Center, grocery stores, libraries, banks, cultura and social activities, and errand destinations.

Vans deployed for the shuttle service operate within the Auburn city limits. The rides are free, although donations are accepted, officials said. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance by calling 206-727-6262. There are no applications to fill out or in-person screening for eligibility.

Health Care Providers Council of Pierce County wants to give caregivers the attention that many of them deserve.

The council, a non-profit organization that promotes service and care for older and disabled adults, is accepting nominations for its 2014 All-Star Caregiver program. Nominations can be made at healthcareproviderscouncil.org. The deadline is May 5.

A dinner honoring caregivers will be held June 4.

Recognition is based in part on persons who go above and beyond to contribute to quality of life, according to the council.

Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources will host informational meetings in April on the subject of long-term care and insurance.

The one-hour meetings, which the county agency describes as an opportunity to get straight-forward information about the benefits and disadvantages to a long-term plan, are scheduled for:

• April 14 at 7 p.m. at Soundview Building, 3602 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma.

• April 16 at 7 p.m. at Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community, 1301 N Highlands Parkway in Tacoma.

The meetings are free. RSVPs are requested in advance by calling (253) 798-8787. Additional information is available from Aging and Disability Resources at (253) 798-4600.

Topics to be covered include: long term care services and the need for care, what insurance really does, who should buy it and who shouldn’t, and alternatives to long term care insurance.

“Our culture often denies aging,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Aging and Disability Resources. “It’s easy to not even think about long-term care insurance. It can be very expensive, and most of us never think we will need care for an extended period of time. But before turning our back on such a policy, it’s important to know what it is we are rejecting.”

About 10 percent of adults have long-term insurance, and Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, officials said.