Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Conway's Senior Crime Colleges Help Seniors Protect Themselves

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway wants to make sure Kentucky’s senior citizens are armed with the latest information on scams that may target the elderly. That’s why his office is hosting Senior Crime Colleges across the Commonwealth this summer to teach seniors how to avoid becoming victims of scams and who to alert if they feel they are being targeted. Forty-nine Senior Crime Colleges were held in 2008, reaching more than 1,800 seniors across Kentucky.  Nine programs have already been held this year.

Topics to be covered include bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, false employment opportunities, phony government stimulus checks, fake debt-relief scams, identity theft, and others.  The majority of these scams request personal and financial information in exchange for the promise of money.

“Sadly, the elderly are often targets of these types of fraudulent investment schemes,” said General Conway.   “My office is committed to fighting the financial exploitation of the elderly, which can have as devastating an impact as physical abuse.”

The Kentucky Department of Insurance and local law enforcement agencies will also participate in the programs. The Kentucky Department of Insurance will share updated insurance information and warn of bogus insurance plans.  Local law enforcement agencies will present a personal safety segment that will advise seniors in how to make better choices both while shopping and while at home.

Senior Crime College dates and locations are as follows:

Monday, July 6/Newcastle/10:30 am/125 Park Drive
Wednesday, July 8/Catlettsburg/10:30 am/3015 Louisa Street
Friday, July 10/Flatwoods/10 am/2513 Reed Street
Tuesday, July 14/Louisville/6 pm/Senior Crime College for the Deaf
Wednesday, July 15/Bardstown/10 am/509 N 4th Street
Thursday, July 16/Walton/10 am/Walton Senior Citizen Center
Thursday, July 16/Bellevue/1 pm/Washington Apts. 300 Washington Ave
Monday, July 20/Dawson Springs/10 am/100 Clarkdale Court
Wednesday, July 29/Lawrenceburg/10 am/160 Township Square
Thursday, August 6/Campton/10 am/68 North Washington
Tuesday, August 11/Grayson/10 am/200 North Hord
Tuesday, August 18/Elsmere/10:30 am/179 Dell Ave

The Senior Crime College program is also available to individual groups.  Groups may request a presentation by calling the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection at 502-696-5389 or 1-888-432-9257.

Some helpful tips for seniors:  

•Beware of home solicitors.  Keep the door closed to people you don’t recognize, talking through the storm door if necessary.  Door-to-door repair people are included in this warning. 
•Research the product, service, company, or charitable organization before you buy or contribute money. 
•Don’t do business with unsolicited callers, especially those offering to “fix your credit,”  “consolidate your loans,” or those claiming to be from Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security.  These callers may mention that they are having difficulty depositing your stimulus payment, or need to verify your information in order for you to receive the payment.  They are looking to steal your identity or take money from your bank account.
•Never cash a check that you have received with a sweepstakes or lottery letter. If the letter instructs you to cash the check and wire money to pay for “fees” or “insurance,” don’t do it. The check is counterfeit and the bank will hold you liable for the funds.