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Each year, more than 10 million Americans have their personal identification information stolen, including their name, social security number, bank account or credit card number.  Seniors can avoid being a victim by protecting their personal information.

First, always protect your social security number and do not give it anyone. Also, don't respond to unsolicited calls. How many times do we hear stories on the news about someone calling a senior out of the blue asking for money or for personal information.

You should also be very cautious with unsolicited mailings and emails that request financial or personal information. Emails are particularly troublesome, such as the Canadian or Nigerian lottery scams or million dollar sweepstakes. Unfortunately, some people do fall for it and it’s difficult to get this money back.

But these scenarios are not unique to seniors—it can happen to anyone!

Don't ever be embarrassed if identity theft occurs. Anyone can be a victim. In fact, it's happened to former U.S. Attorney General, Mary Beth Buchanan. She was in a restaurant in San Francisco and the waiter used a credit card reader to collect her credit card information. If it happened to her, it can happen to anyone.

As part of its mission with the Pennsylvania Area Agency on Agency (AAA), the Protective Services Unit investigates identity theft. They often assist the AAA on cases of identity theft or other cases involving financial exploitation. If you are a victim of identity theft, the first step is to get a police report.

The Protective Services Unit recommends calling the police if you plan to contest fraudulent charges on a credit card or if you want to make a claim that a credit card was open fraudulently. Try to remember as much as you can, such as when and where this could have possibly happened and the amount of the charges you're disputing.

Secondly, call the credit card company.  Ask them to close the account because you suspect fraudulent charges or that the credit card was opened fraudulently. They may send you an affidavit which would list the claimed fraudulent charges.  You will have to verify whether you made those charges or gave someone the authority to make them.

Finally, if you suspect some type of fraud, you can request that a fraud alert be placed on your credit report. 

If you place the alert on your credit report from one of the three major credit reporting agencies, it will automatically be placed on your credit report with the other two major agencies.  This may prevent other credit cards from being opened in your name.

Here are some other things you can do to protect to reduce the risk of identity theft.

• Use a cross-cut type shredder to shred any credit card receipts, pre-approved credit applications and other financial documents that provides access to your private information.

• Get all of your checks delivered to your bank - not to your home address.

• Do not put checks in the mail from your home mailbox. Drop them off at a U.S. Mailbox or the U.S. Post Office.

• Cancel all credit cards that you do not use or have not used in 6 months.

• Ask all financial institutions, doctors' offices, etc., what they do with your private information and make sure that they shred it and protect your information.

• Empty your wallet of all extra credit cards and social security numbers, etc.

• Monitor all your bank statements from every credit card every month.

• Order your credit report at least twice a year and review it carefully. To order, call 1-877-322-8228 or visit www.annualcreditreport.com.