Terry Goddard to Host Anti-Crime Universities in North Phoenix and Avondale

(Phoenix, Ariz. - May 5, 2010)  May is Older Americans Month and a time to honor the legacies and celebrate the contributions of senior citizens.  This year’s national theme is Age Strong! Live Long!  

To celebrate Older Americans Month, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office will host two Senior Anti-Crime Universities to provide information to help Arizona seniors Age Strong!  

“We believe that keeping seniors well-informed provides the best defense against fraud and scams,” Goddard said.  “Protecting seniors has long ranked as a top priority for the Attorney General's Office, and our Senior Anti-Crime University moves our efforts up another notch. Throughout the month of May, I look forward to meeting with seniors and helping them avoid becoming victims of fraud.”

The Senior Anti-Crime Universities are designed to teach attendees to detect scams against seniors and help others to avoid fraud and abuse. Each University will offer a half-day of classes in consumer fraud, identity theft, life care planning and health care directives, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, financial exploitation, elder abuse and neglect, Internet safety and charitable giving.

The Attorney General’s Senior Anti-Crime Universities will be held on Wednesday, May 19, at the Paradise Valley Senior Center in Phoenix, and on Wednesday, May 26, at Estella Mountain Community College in Avondale.   

The classes are free, but space is limited, so advance registration is required.  To register online or get more information, go to azag.gov/seniors/sleuths/sacu.html or email [email protected] or call 602.542.2124

Event Information

Phoenix 
When: Wednesday, May 19
Time: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Paradise Valley Senior Center
17402 N. 40th Street
Phoenix AZ
Note: Event is open to the media.  

Avondale
When: Wednesday, May 26
Time: 8 a.m. - 12 Noon
Where: Estella Mountain Community College
3000 N. Dysart Road
Avondale AZ
Note: Event is open to the media.  

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, Department of Economic Security Division of Aging & Adult Services, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), Arizona Area Agencies on Aging, Duet, All Arizona School Retiree Association, local police departments and other retiree and senior organizations.