ROCK -- Around 60 senior citizens from Rock, Perkins, and Cornell learned how to guard against identity theft during a presentation at the Rock Area Senior Center.

A state trooper from the Gladstone post explained what to do if they come across scams by phone, mail, or the computer.  They should contact the local police, get a copy of the police report, and contact the Federal Trade Commission.
    
Seniors were advised not to throw mail with personal account information in the trash and not to give that information to strangers over the phone.

"I think it's good for us to be knowledgeable about what's going on in our state or country.  I'm a retired teacher, so I like to be educated," said Helmi Lipisto, a participant at the event.

Elizabeth Reed, a community affairs specialist from Senator Carl Levin's office, also explained how some imposters claim to be from government agencies.