South Florida Business Journal

Apr 7, 2015, 1:22pm EDT

Nina Lincoff

Senior citizens are incredibly at risk when it comes to falling victim to identity theft and fraud. But U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Pembroke Pines, is looking to protect seniors in her district.

More than 50 people attended Wasserman Schultz’s senior safety fraud seminar on April 3 at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center in Davie.

Florida is the “oldest” state in the U.S., with 17.9 percent of the population 65 years or older, according to Retirement Industry Trust Association. Taxpayer identify theft has netted more than $5.8 billion in fraudulently gotten funds, Wasserman Schultz said. “We have the worst problem in the country when it comes to this kind of fraud."

Wasserman Schultz holds senior safety fraud seminars around her district because seniors are the most targeted demographic for tax identity theft fraud. “So often seniors end up falling victim to fraudulent activity,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Whether you suddenly have a credit card taken out in your name…or you’re at a restaurant and you have your credit card skimmed.”

Joe Schwartzof the Senior Medicare Patrol, Jerry Majorof Florida's Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, Davie police detective Jeremy Citron, and Davie police sergeant Rob Choquettealso gave presentations.