Say No to Identity Theft: Protect Jacksonville Seniors

FIRED UP! READY TO GO!

We are going to combat identity theft. We will work to make Jacksonville a powerful combatant against identity theft and a leader in protecting seniors. SAY NO TO IDENTITY THEFT.

This is a campaign commitment, not a claim that the City can replace federal or state law-enforcement authority. The practical local role is prevention education, trusted referrals, rapid coordination, and helping residents reach the correct agencies without delay.

A senior-first prevention plan

1. Offer recurring workshops at libraries, senior centers, veterans’ organizations, faith communities, and neighborhood events.
2. Teach residents to recognize impersonation scams, account takeovers, stolen Social Security numbers, fraudulent credit activity, and pressure to send money immediately.
3. Publish a simple Jacksonville referral guide linking residents to IdentityTheft.gov, ReportFraud.ftc.gov, Social Security account security, credit-report resources, local law enforcement, and appropriate financial institutions.
4. Train participating frontline city staff to recognize urgent fraud reports and route residents to verified assistance without collecting unnecessary sensitive information.

Respond quickly and protect evidence

1. Encourage victims to document contacts, transactions, dates, account changes, and official report numbers.
2. Help residents understand that legitimate agencies do not demand secrecy, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or immediate payment to avoid arrest.
3. Coordinate public education with law enforcement and consumer-protection partners while respecting jurisdiction, privacy, due process, and public-record requirements.
4. Publish aggregate education and referral results without exposing victim identities or sensitive personal information.

Protect personal information

Residents should never submit Social Security numbers, banking credentials, payment-card details, passwords, or identity documents through an ordinary campaign or city contact form. Recovery work should use verified agency and financial-institution channels.

A local response can be measured by whether residents receive accurate information, prompt referrals, understandable prevention education, and respectful assistance.