Sheriff’s Office seminar to focus on protecting the identity of the dead
Each year identity thieves steal more than 2.5 million deceased Americans personal information to fraudulently open credit card accounts, apply for loans, receive government assistance, or other services. Thieves are known to troll obituaries and memorial web pages, steal death certificates and even obtain personal identifiers from the Social Security Master Death Index.
As the State of Florida continues to lead the nation in identity theft complaints, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery, will conduct a series of free, informational seminars to inform and educate the public on protecting the good name and legacy of deceased loved ones, as well as the identity and assets of the survivors.
If you or someone you know has recently lost a loved one, you are invited to come and hear about this growing epidemic and the steps you should take to safeguard the identity theft risk of those who’ve passed away. The following seminars are scheduled for the month of July:
July 8, 6:30pm-7:30pm
July 22, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Both events will be held at the Colonial Family Center located on the grounds of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida, 33907. Seating is limited and reservations are appreciated. Light refreshments will be served.
To reserve your seat call Samantha between the hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (239) 936-0555, or for more information about Identity Theft and the Deceased, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Specialist at (239) 258-3287.
Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office