Every week, the police blotter includes examples of frauds, scams, or online, mail, or identity theft. Thieves and scammers are getting more and more sophisticated in their tools and approaches. But if you know the signs and how to make yourself an unattractive target, chances are you’ll avoid being victimized. Tomorrow morning’s Fraud Prevention Workshop can help you prevent fraud attempts.

Hosted by the Bainbridge Police, the workshop is being held in Huney Hall in the newly renovated Waterfront Community Center (formerly the Senior Community Center) at 370 Brien Avenue SE beginning at 10 a.m. and running until 2 p.m.

The agenda includes an array of specialists, each addressing a specific fraud topic:

• Interim Public Safety Director Larry Dickerson, Lieutenant Chris Jensen, and Detectives Mike Tovar and Scott Weiss will provide the introductions.
• Judy Kiander, a Special Agent with the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, will address lottery and Social Security frauds.
• Rebecca Llewellyn of Washington State Labor and Industries will cover home contractors/repairs and consumer protection.
• Lieutenant Phil Hawkins of the BIPD will speak about crime prevention and home security.
• Detectives Mike Tovar and Scott Weiss of the BIPD will focus on identify theft, frauds, scams, and the check enforcement program. In addition they will field questions from the audience.

The hosts ask you to bring your own lunch. They will be providing refreshments and breaks throughout the day.

For more information, contact the Bainbridge Island Police Dept. at 842-5211 or the 50+ Center at 842-1616.

Photo by Andrew Currie.