What it is: An instrument by which a person appoints an agent (attorney-in-fact) who then has the right to act legally on the principal's behalf in the event he or she is unable to do so.

Issues to consider: Differences between Durable and Springing forms of Power of Attorney. The attorney-in-fact will have access to your assets, so he or she should be someone you not only trust implicitly, but who is capable of managing your affairs.

Issues to consider: Expense; nature of benefits provided; policy elimination period; terms of pre-existing condition clause; and conditions for renewal.

What it is: the unauthorized use of your name, social security number, or credit card number by someone unknown to you.

What to do:

• File a report with the police where the theft occurred.
• Contact the Fraud departments of each of the 3 major credit bureaus (see below) to request that both a fraud alert and a victims statement asking that creditors call you before opening or changing your accounts be placed in your file. Also request copies of your credit reports.

  The major credit bureaus are:

  1. Trans Union, PO Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064 (800) 888-4213;
  2. Experian, PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013 (800) 422-4879; and
  3. Equifax, PO Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374 (800) 378-2732.
• Contact your creditors in writing.
• Close accounts that have been tampered with and open new ones with new PINS and passwords.
• Avoid using easily available information like your mothers maiden name, your birth date, the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number or your phone number.
    
    

Once on a Telemarketing list, the number of phone calls you receive can be overwhelming.

What to do: You can register your telephone number on the Federal Trade Commission's National "Do Not Call" Registry, which will be effective for 5 years.

• How to do this:
• By phone, call 1-888-382-1222. You must be calling from the phone you wish to register.
• Over the internet go to www.donotcall.gov. You can register up to three telephone numbers, including a cell phone, by registering on the Internet.
    
    

Using the phone as a mode to reach out to unsuspecting elderly victims, the "Telephone Con Artist" is relying on his/her voice to convince the individual that they are providing a valuable service or product.

What to do:

• Do not agree to accept or deliver any services based on a telephone conversation.
• Do not deal with strangers over the phone without getting referrals first.
• Do not give out any personal information to unknown callers.
    
    

Junk mail is any unsolicited mail. Sweepstakes notices are particularly dangerous to the elderly, in that the mailer may ask you for a confirmation deposit; this should not be required of a real winner.

What to do: Write to Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735, provide your name and zip code, and request that their members remove you from their mailing lists.
  
  

Cramming: Billing consumers on their telephone bills for services they never ordered.

Slamming: Phone service switches to other carriers without your knowledge or prior consent.

Advance fees for a loan which you never requested.

What to do:

• Check your telephone bills carefully.
• Instruct your telephone company to remove the charge.
• If the charge isn't removed, complain to the Federal Communications Commission by calling (888) CALL-FCC.