Equally as important as the investigation and prosecution of those who commit financial crimes and identity theft is the education, prevention and awareness that the task force provides to those who may potentially become victims of financial crimes.

In an effort to educate the public and raise awareness, the task force is available for presentations to groups and organizations throughout the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. The presentations can be tailored to accomodate your time and group size. Along with several multimedia pieces (power point, DVDs), the task force will distribute literature and brochures to your attendees.

• Identity Theft: Has someone taken over your good name?
  This presentation deals with an overview of the identity theft epidemic, touching on various scams that contribute significantly to the theft of your personal information. Discussions include what identity theft is, scams, laws, ways to reduce your risk to identity theft and steps to take should you become a victim.

• Too Good To Be True;
  The Top Frauds and Scams Affecting Consumers
  This presentation is geared toward senior citizens concerned about becoming victims of popular frauds and scams in their own homes. The presentation covers the most common scams including Sweepstakes Fraud, Telemarketing Fraud, Phishing, Work- at-Home Scams, Charity Fraud, The Nigerian Scam, and Internet Auction Fraud. Additional topics include identity theft, tips to avoid falling victim to these scams and steps to take if you become a victim.

• Identity Theft Investigations for Law Enforcement
  This presentation is for law enforcement agencies only and deals with the successful investigation and prosecution of identity theft. Topics include areas of concern, the importance of police reports, characteristics of identity theft offenders, indicators of identity theft and investigative and prosecutorial steps to ensure a thorough investigation and successful prosecution.

To request a presentation or to receive more information, contact the Financial Crimes Task Force at 1-877-876-2455, press option 5, enter the ZIP code and follow the instructions. In your request, please be sure to include the following information: date, time and location of presentation, a contact name and number for your group, target audience of the group (ex. seniors, bankers, staff, etc.), the length of time for the presentation and a general number of people attending, and a list of any audio / visual equipment that you may be able to provide.

Presentations require at least two weeks advance notice prior to the date of the presentation.

The Financial Crimes Task Force encourages people who are Deaf or hard of hearing to attend our presentations. If your group will have Deaf or hard of hearing people attending a presentation who understand sign language, please let us know in your request in order to make arrangments for a sign language interpreter to appear.

The Financial Crimes Task Force has provided presentations to the following groups:

AARP
Asbury Heights Senior Center
Bank Security Officers
Beulah Presbyterian Church
Butler County Foster Grandparent Program
California State Univ. Masters Crim. Just. Prog.
Carson Retirement Residence
Circle of Friends
Community College of Allegheny County
Community Group, Greenville, with PCCD
Community Group, Meadville, with PCCD
Concerned Citizens, Cloverleaf Estates
Crime Watch Meeting, Middlesex Township
Crossroads Church, Monroeville
Cranberry Township Area Lions Club
Donora Towers Senior Citizens Group
Federal Executive Board
Forensic Accounting Class
Forest Hills Church
Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church
Greater Pittsburgh Postal Customer Council
Greene County Township Officers
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Ingram Boro Police
Jewish Community Center
Ladies Hospital Aid Society
LaRoche College/Criminology Dept.
LECC, Ross Township Police
Lions Club, Hickory
Marketing Professional Administrator Network
Masonic Village, Sewickley
MENSA
Monroeville United Methodist Church
Munhall Retirement Residence
North Suburban Adult Services
Northmont Presbyterian Church
PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency
Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Point Park University
Rotary Club, Beaver
Second Friday Port Authority Retirees
Senior Action Coalition
Senior Seminar, Point Park University
Society Hall, Mount Oliver
St. James Church, Sewickley
St. Nicholas Community Center
Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees
Summit Retirement Residence
Triangle Group, Northmont Presybeterian
USW Local 2227, West Mifflin
Verona Moose
Western PA Professional Protection Association
Westinghouse
West Virginia Postmasters Conference
Women's Club of Upper St. Clair