Smarter Seniors Forums Program coordinated by the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer affairs through a grant received from the Department of Community & Senior Services Adult Protective Services.
http://www.la4seniors.com/
   smarter_seniors_forum.htm

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.  (top)

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  (top)

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.  (top)

Identity Theft and Privacy Guides

Extensive information on Identity theft and privacy rights can 
be found on these Web sites:

• The Federal Trade Commission
  Identity Theft Web site
  Very comprehensive information and advice to help identity theft victims.

• The U.S. Government Central Web site
  for information about identity theft.

• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse   (top)

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.  (top)

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. (top) 

Better Business Bureau

http://www.bbb.org/
Check with the BBB for company reports, consumer tips, and information on local chapters.  (top)

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