Fraud & Crimes Against Seniors
The
Los Angeles District Attorney's Office's
Web site offers valuable advice to prevent crimes targeting
seniors:
 | Home burglary, purse snatch & avoiding false friends |
| Personal relationships, caretaker fraud |
| Telemarketing fraud |
| Fraudulent charities |
| Re-victimizing fraud victims |
| Living trust frauds |
| Pyramid & Ponzi fraud |
| Repair fraud |
| Health fraud |
| Identity theft |
| Staged auto accidents |
| Real estate fraud |
You can reach the District Attorney Web site at:
http://da.co.la.ca.us/seniors/crimes.htm
This page also provides links to useful consumer information sites. 
Contractors
State License Board
| 1(800) 321-2752 |
| Call before you hire a contractor or sign a contract for home
repair. |
| Call for general advice or a free publication. |
| Call to verify the information provided by the bidding contractor. |
| Call to check on a contractor's license and bond status. |
| If you need to file a complaint, call and ask for a copy of
"A consumer guide to filing construction complaints"
and the complaint form. |
| Visit the Web site at:
http://www.cslb.ca.gov |
State
of California Department of Insurance
|
1(800) 927-HELP
T.D.D. 1(800) 482-4TDD
L.A. Area and Out of State:
(213) 897-8921 |
|
Call for information on:
 |
Automobile insurance |
|
Life insurance
If you are considering any changes, call for a helpful
booklet before you make a decision. |
|
Identity
Theft and Privacy Guides
Extensive information on Identity theft and privacy rights can
be found on these Web sites:
Bet Tzedek Legal
Services
Bet Tzedek (The
House of Justice) offers many services services to assist seniors at
risk:
|
Protecting nursing home patients' rights |
|
Long Term Care issues |
|
Conservatorships & Guardianships |
|
Durable Powers of Attorney for Health
Care & Finances |
|
Patients' rights and quality of care |
|
Elder abuse and neglect |
|
Challenging substandard housing
conditions |
|
Preventing home equity fraud against the
elderly |
|
Consumer fraud |
|
Unlawful debt collection |
|
Wage claims |
|
Defending the rights of the disabled |
|
Obtaining reparations for Holocaust
survivors |
|
Assisting Alzheimer's patients and their
families |
|
Homebound service |
No legal information is given over the phone. For more information go
to the Bet Tzedek Web site
. The site offer many links to other valuable Web sites related to
consumer protection when you click on Helpful Links.
Federal
Trade Commission Consumer Protection
http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm
Uncle Sam's consumer portal offers a host of primers on solving
problems, plus an online complaint form.
Better
Business Bureau
http://www.bbb.org/
Check with the BBB for company reports, consumer tips, and information
on local chapters.
Consumer
World's Consumer Agencies and Organizations
ConsumerWorld
offers dozens of links to watchdog groups, both public and private. |
