BEVERLY HILLS — The Beverly Hills Police Department will present a Neighborhood Watch on how to avoid being scammed on Tuesday, December 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at First Bank, located on 9145 Wilshire Boulevard. The program will be directed towards teens, adults and seniors who may be vulnerable to identity theft and fraud, and provide an opportunity for neighbors to meet and connect with each other.

Teens can be targeted online, especially on Facebook, where they may register their birthday and post other personal information that can be used by an identity thief, so both parents and teens are advised to keep a vigilant eye. As for seniors, especially those who are living alone, both the Internet and telephone are potential ways for scammers to take advantage.

According to Katerina Karagiannides, vice president of First Bank, younger adults can be targeted while trying to sell an automobile or sublet an apartment on sites like Craigslist, providing opportunities for scammers overseas to send fraudulent checks. “If it’s too good to be true, something isn’t right,” Karagiannides told Canyon News.

“Sometimes, individuals will get hired by an online company that tells them to cash in a counterfeit check with an amount that’s more than what they earned, and then wire the remaining amount overseas through Western Union,” said Karagiannides.

Anyone eager to find a job, especially in this economy, might accept a position that was offered via email, and then receive a check through the mail. No matter how authentic the check appears, it is actually a Trojan horse that can rob the recipient of thousands of dollars. Especially during the holiday season, when people are looking for temporary work, the potential for scamming is especially high.

The Neighborhood Watch program will be presented by BHPD Sergeant George DeMarios and Sergeant Max Subin, who will provide information on how to avoid identity theft, scamming and home protection.  In addition, Vice President Karagiannides will give tips on how to resist internet scamming. Anyone interested in attending must RSVP at 310-777-1900. Additional tips on how to stay safe during the holidays can be found athttp://beverlyhills.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/beverly-hills-police-issues-holiday-safety-reminders.