Seminar to focus on fraud

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that nearly 9 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year.

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The Grovetown Merchants Association is sponsoring a community fraud education program this week designed to teach residents how to safeguard themselves from having their identities stolen.

The seminar is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Liberty Park Community Center on Newmantown Road, off Robinson Avenue in Grovetown.

Identity theft occurs when a person uses someone else's personal information, including Social Security numbers and credit card numbers, without permission to commit fraud or other crimes.

"We'll be focusing on identity theft, just how they can safeguard their information," said Kelli Fulford, security officer of Queensborough National Bank and Trust Co., who will give the presentation.

The seminar will include tips on protecting personal information from the FTC's Deter, Detect, Defend program, and information on and samples of checks, travelers checks and cashiers checks. Fulford said she'll also talk about "lottery-winner" letters and other e-mail scams.

"We'll also touch on Internet security, how they know when it is a secured site, the things to look for on the page," she said. "And we'll give them Web sites and phone numbers that would be beneficial if they were to fall victim."

No registration is necessary and refreshments will be provided.