If you believe you are a victim of identity theft or to help deter and detect it, contact:

The Federal Trade Commission

A victim of an identity theft should file a police report as well as an online complaint at: www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ (call 1-202-466-6272 for more information).

The New York State Office of the Attorney General

For consumer issues such as identity theft within New York, call the consumer helpline at 1-800-771-7755 or, to file a complaint online, visit www.oag.state.ny.us/complaints/complaints.html.

If you believe you are a victim of Internet theft, or for tips on safety contact:

The New York State Division of State Police

Publications detailing precautions to take to maintain Internet safety and avoid identity theft can be found at: http://www.troopers.state.ny.us/publications/.

The Office of the Westchester County District Attorney

For Internet safety tips, visit: http://da.westchester.ny.us/crimeprevention.htm.

To report or get more information on elder abuse:

Westchester County Adult Protective Services

To report elder abuse, call (914) 995-2259. For more information about preventing elder abuse, neglect and/or exploitation, call (914) 995-5411.

Putnam County Adult Protective Services

To report or ask questions about elder abuse concerns, call (845) 225-7040 x1262, x1293 or x1266.

The Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services

To report elder abuse, call the elder abuse help line, (914) 813-6436.

The Westchester County Safe Center for Seniors

A support center for at-risk elderly, located at Lighthouse International, 170 Hamilton Hall, White Plains. To report elder abuse, call (914) 683-7530.

Putnam Valley’s Marie Zarcone with Sandy as she receives the Community Service Award from Putnam County Office for the Aging & RSVP.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department

To report elder abuse, call Sheriff Department’s office in Carmel, NY at (845) 225-4300.

If you were a victim of property theft, contact:

The New York State Crime Victim’s Board

Personal property lost or destroyed during a crime can be reimbursed if it is necessary to maintain a victim’s health and welfare (call 1-800-247-8035 or log on to www.cvb.state.ny.us).

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
For retired residents 55 and over, volunteer opportunities are offered in schools, day care centers, hospitals and other community non-profit agencies. Volunteer jobs are found to match abilities and interests. Call (914) 948-6069 in Westchester, or (845) 621-0600 in Putnam.

The Volunteer Center of United Way
For volunteer opportunities in your local community, visit www.volunteer-center.org or call the Hartsdale, NY headquarters for more information at (914) 948-4452.

Senior Corps
Connects volunteers over age 55 with the people and organizations that need them most. To find a volunteer opportunity in your local community, visit http://getinvolved.volunteermatch.org or call 1-800-424-8867 for more information.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE): Putnam County, NY Chapter
Retired volunteers with work experience as business owners, corporate managers, and educators serve as free counselors for clients looking for assistance on their startup or ongoing business. To become a SCORE counselor, call (845) 625-6030 or visit www.putnamscore.org.

Sandy appears with Jim Eppinger, President of Putnam SCORE at her Small Business forum for starting or developing entrepreneurs.