Public Employee Press

Money management tips for retirees

Statistics show that seniors are the primary targets of scam artists and thieves. You can help protect your home and your finances with these tips from DC 37’s Municipal Employee Housing Program and Neighborhood Housing Services, which partners with the union to provide homeownership education, affordable mortgages and first-time homebuyer opportunities for members.

Protect Your Identity: Never provide personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call. Remember, identity thieves are skilled professional liars, trained to sound legitimate and sincere.

Never carry your Social Security card — the gateway to your identity — in your wallet. Leave it locked away at home or in a safe deposit box until you need it.

Secure personal information in your home, especially if you employ outside help, or have service work done.

Mailing bills from a United States Post Office location or box is safer than putting them out for the mail carrier at home. Identity thieves cruise neighborhoods looking for outgoing mail, knowing they are likely to find outgoing payments containing account numbers and other personal information.

Beware of Scams: Do not pay the entire fee upfront to contractors, mechanics or other service providers. Make sure the promised work is completed before you make full payment.

If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, never pay an upfront fee to anyone offering assistance in getting a loan modification. Get free help from a HUD-certified counseling agency, such as NHS. Call 311 to find free reliable help.

Get Free Help from DC 37’s MEHP and NHS: Counseling is available on credit and money management, foreclosure prevention, home purchase or refinancing, reverse (HECM) mortgages, home repair loans and construction services.

To learn more, come to the MEHP Housing Fair on Thursday June 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DC 37. To pre-register, call 212-815-1814. To learn more about NHS, go to www.nhsnyc.org or call 718-230-7610.