Don't let thieves steal your identity
Toolbox
Published: December 14, 2009
Last Friday, one of the council's staff members went through a very upsetting experience.
Mrs. G. left work at the end of the day to go to the bank and do other errands. She was distracted by a colleague who was just coming into the office with her little dog. Mrs. G. put her purse down on the ground of the parking lot so that she could pat the dog. After a few minutes, Mrs. G. got into her car and drove to the bank where she intended to deposit a large check from her insurance fund. She reached over to the passenger seat where she always puts her purse and found that it wasn't there.
Mrs. G. drove back to the council hoping that she might have left the purse on her desk. We all helped look for it, but it was not to be found. The reality set in that it must have been stolen from the parking lot outside.
The police were called and it was suggested that Mrs. G. call her cell phone and perhaps someone would hear it ringing and come forward with information as to the purse's whereabouts. She did that and a man heard the ringing and found the purse minus Mrs. G.'s credit card and money, but still containing her Social Security card and other items. Her insurance check was found in the road near where the purse was found.
The credit card already had three purchases charged to it in the short time that had passed.
This scenario brings up an important point. If the thief had taken Mrs. G.'s Social Security card, he or she could have stolen her identity and caused multiple problems for her. One of the most prevalent methods for stealing personal information is the theft of wallets, purses, credit cards and bank statements.
The Social Security Administration strongly advises: Do not routinely carry your Social Security card or other documents that display your number with you; rather keep it in a safe place. If your wallet or purse is stolen, at least your identity will be less likely to be stolen with it.
The police warned that another kind of robbery that increases at this time of the year is the theft of holiday purchases out of cars. Put your packages in the trunk so as not to give anyone an opportunity to steal them. And always lock your car.
Barbara Hanson is director of community resource development for the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging. For information about senior services, call the Senior Helpline at (800) 642-5119 or 786-5991 or visit www.svcoa.org.
Meals on Wheels
Today: Baked fish with almonds, lemon wedge, O'Brien potatoes, French green beans, dinner roll, apple cake muffins.
Tuesday: Italian mini loaves with red sauce and Parmesan cheese, seasoned cavatappi, Italian vegetables, wheat bread, orange.
Wednesday: Italian chicken fingers, sweet-and-sour sauce, home fries, peas and corn, rye bread, cookies.
Thursday: Stuffed chicken breast with apple and cranberry stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, baby whole carrots, cranberry sauce, dinner roll, pumpkin cake.
Friday: Pork chow mein, chow mein noodles, brown rice pilaf, Japanese vegetables, diced pears.
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