Consumer fraud seminar set for Senior Services Plus

State Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Godfrey, is partnering with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to host a Senior Consumer Fraud Prevention Seminar Feb. 22 at the Senior Services Plus facility in Alton, 2603 N. Rodgers Ave.

The event runs from 10 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.

“We are all aware of the rise in the use of technology when it comes to fraud, with scam artists finding new ways to defraud people out of their hard-earned money,” said Bristow. “I believe we should all know of ways to better protect ourselves from any identity theft or phone scams, especially our seniors, who are often targeted through the phone and mail.”

Seniors are invited to attend the event to learn how to keep their personal information safe from being stolen and new ways to protect themselves from scams and fraud. The number of identity thefts in the past decade has sky rocketed from 10.2 million to 15.4 million according to recent studies.

“Becoming the victim of identity fraud can create a large financial and emotional burden, and our goal with the Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar is to help people learn how to protect their identities from thieves so that they never have to experience that,” said Bristow.

Those wishing to attend should RSVP through Bristow’s office at (618) 465-5900 or by email at repmbristow@gmail.com

Bristow to host coffee stop on Feb. 23

State Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Godfrey, will be hosting a Coffee Stop Shop on Feb. 23 from 3:30 to 4 p.m. at Kumar’s Kafe at 53 E. Ferguson Ave. in Wood River.

“As I head to Springfield in the coming months to address the issues that our state faces, getting feedback from community members is critical,” said Bristow. “I encourage residents to stop by during a coffee stop to have a conversation over any issues or concerns they might be facing, or just to say hello.”

Bristow hosts regular “Coffee Stop Shops” throughout the district, allowing times for residents to meet with her and her staff over coffee at local businesses.

“The opportunities to sit and chat are a great chance to understand more about what issues are important to people, and ways that the legislature can make our area a better place for families to live and work in,” she said.