The elderly are increasingly the primary targets for identity theft scams. The fastest growing crime in the U.S., identity theft is showing no signs of slowing down even as options for protection yourself increase. Four gang members in Fresno California were just arrested for elderly abuse and identity theft after scamming victims that included a 97 year old. The scammers generally contacted the victims by telephone, representing themselves as government officials requesting information such as social security numbers and family history. This reinforces many of the simple tips I’ve been sharing for years - protect your social security number, permanently destroy any sensitive garbage that may contain your personal information, store information in secure locations, and consider purchasing identity theft protection. Make sure you follow these steps and share them with older folks in your life, such as your parents. You could be saving them a ton of grief.