Identity Theft by family and Friends on the Rise

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 17, 2004 -- Sydney Newman Dotson, author of "No Greater Deception, A True Texas Story" will speak about how to protect against domestic identity theft at several senior centers in the Houston area. The events are free and open to the public.



- Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Spring Shadows Place, 10100 Kempwood Dr 713-462-6444.



- June 24, 2 p.m., The Terrace at Memorial City, 11900 Barryknoll. 713-932-0400.



- Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., The Terrace at First Colony, 16900 Lexington Blvd. 281-903-2000.

- Wednesday, 10 a.m. The Terrace at Willowbrook, 7575 Willow Chase Blvd. 281-970-6114.



Seniors often fall prey to scam artists and identity theft, but a growing number are now targets of relatives, friends or associates who misuse their identity for personal gain.



An upcoming Identity Theft Seminar is designed to help seniors and others learn how not to be burned.



"Over 95 percent of identity thefts are performed by family members on family members," said Dotson.



"Seniors are the primary targets in America today."

The Dallas-based author will speak about the risk of identity theft to hundreds of Houston seniors in June.



The seminar will include tips on how to protect key financial information, such as a social security number, safe deposit box and wills.



Linda Carpenter, a lifestyle consultant at Spring Shadows Place on Kempwood, said Dotson's talk will be eye-opening for residents whose average age is 80. "Some of our residents are not that aware of this problem," Carpenter said. "This will be very good for them to learn about."

Such events are new to the five properties that focus on providing a wide menu of services to residents, Carpenter said.



Written in present tense, "No Greater Deception," spans the period from 1995 to 2000 as Dotson and her youngest sister unravel how their stepmother became their father's sole heir, and struggle to track down the size and scope of his estate. "You will feel like you are discovering the clues along with us," Dotson said.

"One things for sure, this book will put several cities in Texas on the map, including Austin, Baytown, Dallas, Houston, LaPorte, Longview, Midland and several surrounding cities in or near Galveston, Harris and Gregg counties," she said. "Moreover, it will highlight the problem and complexity of identity theft."



"In most cases the seniors spouse, or one of the children, is responsible for the forgery, fraud and theft," she said.



"The cost of prosecuting the perpetrator and regaining the lost assets is often more costly than the value of the initial crime."



"Similar to domestic violence, domestic identity theft is often unspoken and goes undetected," she said.

"No one likes to admit publicly that they have become a victim, and of course the perpetrators don't often brag about their thefts to others."



During the book-signing events, Dotson will touch on loopholes that she encountered with the Texas law which make proving fraud difficult. She will highlight the importance of protecting beneficiary change forms at banks and life insurance companies.



"No Greater Deception" is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com or call toll free 888-280-7715.



See www.NoGreaterDeception.com



Kimberly Blair, Houston Chronicle Reporter