State attorney general visits Douglas senior center

Nevada's Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto paid a visit to the Douglas County Senior Center on Thursday, urging a crowd of more than 50 people to be vigilant in the face of elder exploitation, identity theft and other crimes.

"I want you to know that you have an advocate in the state," Masto said.

But she said people must be willing to step forward when they see a problem or become the victim of a crime.

"The only way we can help you is if you call to tell us what's going on," she said.

Masto described a recent case in which a woman befriended an older man, studied his assets and then eventually forged his will.

"We were able to go into the probate court and stop the court from giving his estate to the woman," she said.

Medicare fraud is a different situation, Masto said.

Federal authorities and not the state handle the cases.

However, Masto said she's still trying to turn seniors into advocates, so they may help fight the crime.

"It's a billion dollar industry," she said. "People are stealing billions of dollars that should go to you."

Masto urged seniors to avoid carrying around their Medicare and Social Security cards.

"Most identity theft occurs from what's found in stolen wallets or purses," she said.

"It's a big industry that's tough to combat. The best way to combat it is for you to be vigilant about your information."

Venice Reader, a 72-year-old Minden resident, said she has not been a victim of fraud, but knows someone who has.

"I had a girlfriend that went through it," she said. "We need to protect our seniors."

Masto also visited the Eddy Street Book Exchange, where she spoke with 30 community members from several organizations.

To contact the attorney general's Carson City office, call (775) 684-1100.