Attorney general leads Senior Anti-Crime University

Attorney General Terry Goddard will host a Senior Anti-Crime University Jan. 6 in Sun City West. The program will be from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sun City West Foundation.

Goddard will be joined by local leaders and experts in consumer scams, investment fraud, personal safety, elder abuse, financial exploitation and other issues affecting seniors.

The Senior Anti-Crime Universities are a statewide series of forums designed to teach attendees to detect fraud and other consumer abuse commonly perpetrated against seniors. Each university offers a half day of classes in consumer fraud and scams, identity theft, life care planning/health care directives, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, financial exploitation, elder abuse and neglect, Internet safety and charitable giving.

"Keeping Arizona seniors well-informed provides the best defense against frauds and scams," Goddard said. "The Anti-Crime University will present a wealth of useful information to identify and prevent all manner of schemes and rip-offs. Protecting seniors ranks as a top priority for the Attorney General's Office, and this program moves our efforts up another notch."

Learn more about the anti-crime universities from Goddard in his video message available at http://www.azag.gov/seniors/sleuths/sacu.html. 

Space is limited, so advance registration is required. To register online or get information, go to the SENIORS tab at the Attorney General's Web site (www.azag.gov) and click on Senior Anti-Crime University or e-mail SeniorSleuths@azag.gov. 

Goddard will speak at approximately 8:30 a.m. Sun City West Foundation is at 14465 W. R.H. Johnson Blvd., Sun City West.

The Senior Anti-Crime University is part of the Attorney General’s new Senior Sleuths project. Senior Sleuths is a volunteer program to help Arizona seniors protect themselves and prevent others from becoming victims of fraud and abuse. The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting senior volunteers and will be training them to identify and report scams and fraud and to use their knowledge to educate other seniors.

The Senior Anti-Crime University and Senior Sleuths project are partnering with AARP, DES Division of Aging & Adult Services, SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol), Arizona Area Agencies on Aging, Duet, All Arizona School Retiree Association, local police departments and other retiree and senior organizations.