A panel of experts came armed with helpful information at an event Thursday evening put on by the NYPD 10-13 Club at SeaBreeze Recreation Center.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Wildwood Police Department, Seniors vs. Crime, The Villages Computer Club and Citizens First Bank were all represented at the event which drew a good-sized crowd and numerous questions.
Larry Eby of Citizens First Bank encouraged attendees to register their Social Security numbers online with the Social Security Administration to prevent their number from being hijacked by someone else.
“You need to register so someone else doesn’t do it and direct your money to them,” Eby said.
The Social Security Administration has been offering the online registration for about two years.
To register, you will need detailed financial information such as where you obtained your first loan.
You can learn more about that at the link below:
Capt. Paul Valentino of the Wildwood Police Department said his officers continue to look for ways to enhance their working relationship with The Villages and its residents.
He said his department is working closer with Villages Entertainment to ensure a police presence is on hand for big events at Brownwood Paddock Square.
He also let attendees know that outside the Wildwood Police Station substation at Brownwood, there is a 911 call box.
“It will get you directly in touch with the Wildwood Police Department,” he said.
He encouraged residents not to be shy about using it.
Calling 911 was a theme throughout the evening, and residents were urged to call 911 when there is any doubt.
A credit card skimmer recently discovered at the Sunoco gas station in Lady Lake was also a concern.
Residents were told that if a credit card device looks suspicious, don’t use it and alert a manager. The skimmer at the Sunoco has been removed and the station managers are cooperating with law enforcement to try to determine who installed it.
Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe said the sheriff’s office has conducted more than 600 home inspections in the wake of a rash of burglaries in The Villages. The service is free to Sumter County residents. A deputy will come to your home and talk to the homeowner about locks, lightning and vulnerabilities in a home.
NYPD 10-13 Club President Mike Spalding said the event was aimed at helping residents learn more about protecting themselves. He said the club wanted to reach out and offer the program as a community service.
