- Berkshire District Attorney Paul J. Caccaviello
Pittsfield — District Attorney Paul J. Caccaviello announced recently that Assistant Director of Victim Assistance Mary Shogry-Hayer and Assistant District Attorneys Andrew Giarolo and Katy Innes have been named to the Attorney General’s Massachusetts Elder Identity Theft Coalition. “As District Attorney, keeping senior citizens safe is a high priority. My staff’s participation in this coalition connects us with law enforcement and elder protection agencies throughout the state that come together to share information, ideas and resources to protect seniors. Our work on the coalition will provide my Office with additional education and safety tools for the seniors of Berkshire County to safeguard their identities.”
The Coalition has three primary goals:
- TRAIN service provider organizations to assist elders who have been victims of identity theft, including detailed trainings on how to help victims create an identity theft recovery plan.
- EDUCATE elders to be proactive in protecting their identity.
- RAISE awareness among businesses that are sometimes used in the act of identity theft to help them recognize and prevent identity theft.
The Just Hang Up campaign flyer reminds consumers of the prevalence of phone scams and how to respond to someone they don’t know looking for personal information. District Attorney Caccaviello would like seniors to remember a legitimate, responsible business or organization will want to keep your personal information safe and will never ask you for it by calling you. If you did not initiate the call, do not give out your personal information. JUST HANG UP if you are concerned that it was a legitimate call and contact the main telephone number of the business or organization and tell them about the call you received.
Just Hang Up campaign flyers will be distributed to seniors through local Triad meetings. Click here for more information on Triad.
To learn more about the Coalition click here.
