RI State Police & RI Jump$tart Coalition Air Identity Theft Informational Program

Providence, RI – The Rhode Island Jump$tart Coalition and the Rhode Island State Police will air a public program featuring Detective Shari Russell of the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit informing citizens about strategies to avoid identity theft.

The program will air on statewide interconnect (channel 13) at:

1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 16th, 2005

1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 20th, 2005

Noon on Saturday, May 21st, 2005

The presentation was filmed in Warwick, RI last Fall while Detective Russell presented a keynote address to one-hundred Rhode Island educators attending the Rhode Island Jump$tart Coalition educator workshop entitled, “Financial $marts for Students.”

Rhode Island Attorney General, Patrick C. Lynch introduces Detective Russell on the program and calls on viewers to pay special attention to the growing problem of identity theft.  “Over 10 million Americans were the victim of identity theft last year for a grand total of $50 billion,” asserts Lynch, who adds, “The best possible way for citizens to fight identity theft is to take affirmative actions in daily life based on the sound advice of experts like Detective Russell.”

Rhode Island Jump$tart Coalition Executive Director, Jim Hedemark states, “As we work to increase the financial literacy of Rhode Islanders, we are especially concerned with helping citizens avoid the many financial crimes and scams through information and education.  Last Fall, attendees at our educator workshop especially noted the presentation of Detective Russell as highly compelling and useful.We are proud to make this presentation available to all Rhode Islanders.  We are grateful for the leadership of Attorney General Lynch, the expertise of Detective Russell, the cooperation of the Rhode Island State Police, and the donation of airtime by City Life Productions and Judge Frank Caprio.”

The Rhode Island Jump$tart Coalition is a nonprofit organization whose mission is, “To increase the financial literacy of individuals in Rhode Island.”