The Senior Scene

While it’s tax season, it’s also unfortunately open season for scam artists looking to steal your personal information. The Washington state attorney general’s office and the AARP Fraud Watch Network have launched an educational effort to help people protect themselves from tax scams.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, Washington ranks 25th in the nation in identity-theft complaints. And according to a recent AARP state study, some everyday behaviors are putting many Washington taxpayers at risk.
“Throwing a pay stub in the trash may seem easier than finding a shredder, but the risk of having your tax refund stolen is just too great,” says AARP state director Doug Shadel. “The AARP Fraud Watch Network is urging all Washingtonians to file early so you can beat con artists to the punch.”
In one identity-theft scheme centered around tax time, scammers electronically file a tax return under someone else’s name to collect their refund. All they need is a birthdate and Social Security number, and many taxpayers make their personal information easy pickings by:
• Failing to lock their mailbox. Over one-third of Washingtonians receive their mail in an unlocked mailbox or mail slot at home, which leaves them open to a criminal stealing bills, tax forms and other documents that contain personal information.
• Leaving valuables exposed. Nearly 57 percent of Washingtonians left at least one valuable personal item in their car in the last week (a purse or wallet, paystub, laptop) that could be used to steal their identity.
• Failing to destroy personal information. More than 19 percent of Washingtonians say they never shred any of the personal documents that could be used to steal their identity.
Tips on how to protect yourself and your family from tax identity theft include:
• Mail tax returns as early in the tax season as possible, before the cons beat you to it.
• Don’t give out personal information unless you know who’s asking for it and why they need it.
• Shred personal and financial documents.
• Know your tax preparer.
Also be on the lookout for the IRS imposter scam. In this intimidating and sophisticated phone scam, callers claim to be IRS employees and say you owe taxes. They might also threaten to arrest or deport you if you don’t pay, know all or part of your Social Security number, rig caller ID to make it look like the call is from the IRS, and tell you to put the money on a pre-paid debit card and tell them the card number.
The IRS doesn’t call to demand immediate payment for taxes owed without first sending you a notification by mail. They also won’t ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone, or threaten to bring in local police to arrest you for non-payment.
“Consumers must take care to watch out for tax scammers who will not hesitate to steal identities and help themselves to tax refunds,” said state Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “Protect your personal information and spread the word about this tax season scam to your friends and family.”
Ferguson advises that if consumers have any doubts about a call they receive, they should hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 or go to www.irs.gov.
Consumers should then report the call with the U.S. treasury inspector general for tax administration at www.treasury.gov/tigta/ or 1-800-366-4484, and with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complaint or 1-877-FTC-HELP.
Washingtonians are also encouraged to visit www.aarp.org/taxaide (1-888-227-7669) for information about AARP Foundation Tax Aide, the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation program. Each tax season, Tax Aide helps millions of low- to moderate-income taxpayers — especially those 60 and older — get the credits and deductions they deserve.
For fraud-prevention tips, visit www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call the AARP Foundation Fraud Fighter Call Center at 1-800-646-2283.
To learn more about the state attorney general’s consumer protection work, visit www.atg.wa.gov.

Jason Erskine, who wrote this article, is the communications director for AARP Washington.

Since 1939, March has meant one thing in the world of sports – March Madness. In this tournament, 68 college men’s basketball teams compete through the month until only the final four teams remain. Coaches gather their teams to drive home the gravity of the moment, reminding them that they’ve worked hard and that how they respond to the pressure directly determines the outcome.
When it comes to retirement, you can secure your own winning outcome by teaming up with Social Security and taking advantage of services offered online. Start by opening a My Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
What can you do with this account?
• Use it to view your Social Security Statement and verify your earnings history each year. Your future benefits are based on your recorded earnings.
• Stay focused on your financial future by getting estimates of your retirement, disability and survivor benefits, if you are still working.
• Keep up the full-court press by managing your benefits, if you already receive them.
• Get immediate proof of your current Social Security benefits or a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax purposes.
While everyone focuses on college basketball, create your own March madness with Social Security. You can open your online account during one of the commercial breaks.
Don’t wait until crunch time. Your moment is now. Take advantage of your own personal my Social Security account to stay on top of your annual earnings history and future benefit estimates. Staying ahead of the game is key to having a winning future in retirement. Social Security is a dependable team player, assisting you to your retirement championship, and my Social Security is the Most Valuable Player on the court. Check out your final four at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

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

Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources has scheduled a series of forums for the public to help shape a plan for services to older adults and individuals with disabilities over the next four years.
For the plan that will cover the four years of 2016-19, forum participants can speak up on topics such as in-home care, transportation, nutrition, healthcare, housing, socialization, legal services, aging-in-place and employment/volunteerism.
“We want to hear what concerns people,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Aging and Disability Resources. “In order for us to develop a strong plan for the next four years, we need to hear the experiences and suggestions of people with disabilities, older adults, caregivers, family members, friends and professionals in the community.”
Forums were held March 4 in Lakewood and March 9 in Tacoma, and four more are scheduled for:
• March 19 (12:30-2:30 p.m.) at Milgard Family HOPE Center in Gig Harbor, 8502 Skansie Ave.
• March 21 (9-11 a.m.) at Buckley Senior Center, located at 811 Main St. in Buckley
• March 30 (10 a.m.-noon) at Mountain View Community Center in Edgewood, 3607 122nd Ave. E.
• April 16 (1 -3 p.m.) at Lakewood Senior Activity Center, located at 9112 Lakewood Dr. SW.
The public can also participate in an on-line survey at www.PierceCountyWA.org/ADR or send their input by mail to Pierce County ADR, 1305 Tacoma Ave. S., Suite 104, Tacoma, WA 98402, or by e-mail to pcseniors@co.pierce.wa.us.
Additional information about the forums and input opportunities is available at 253-798-7376.
Aging and Disability Resources (ADR) is a designated Area Agency on Aging. Its role is to plan and oversee long-term services and support in Pierce County.

Metro Parks Tacoma is inviting the public to participate in the master plan process for Point Defiance Park.
The agency has begun refining the Park Board-approved Concept Plan of 2008 into a master plan for future development and uses of the park. The plan will be presented to the public April 23 before going to the board for consideration.
“We want to make sure everyone in our community is aware and involved as we make long-term decisions about one of the region’s favorite destinations. This includes the thousands who retire out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord and join our community,” said Roxanne Miles, Metro Parks’ strategic advancement manager and Americans With Disabilities Act coordinator.
The public can give input by:
• Attending the two remaining open houses with Metro Parks planners. Meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Education Building on March 26 and April 23.
•Commenting at destinationpointdefiance.org. The site has information, maps and an interactive online tool.
•Getting Facebook updates at www.Facebook.com/PointDefiancePark
•Calling or e-mailing chief planning manager Doug Fraser at 253-305-1019 and dougf@tacomaparks.com
• Contacting Miles at 253-305-1068 for a presentation to groups before April 23. I can also coordinate with you for translated materials or an interpreter at the presentation.
•Mailing a letter to Metro Parks Tacoma, Attn: Destination Point Defiance, 4702 S. 19th St., Tacoma WA 98405.
“This is an exciting point in Tacoma history for Metro Parks and the park district – a rare chance to map the future of a community treasure,” Miles said.