BRUNSWICK —   According to the 2013 Identity Fraud Report released by Javelin Strategy & Research, there were more than 12 million victims of identity fraud in the United States in 2012, resulting in the theft of more than $21 billion.

Many victims of identity fraud and other forms of fraud are older Americans. Nationwide, a documented $3 billion is lost by the senior population each year, though it is believed less than 10 percent of these crimes are ever reported.

Several local organizations will participate in a special presentation, “How to Avoid Scams, and Telephone and Internet Fraud,” at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 132 McKeen St.

The event is free and people of all ages are encouraged to attend.

“We will learn about current scams and the warning signs of scams that target older adults,” said Amy Ford, faith formation director at All Saints Parish. “We’ll listen to professionals who will talk about how people can protect themselves from scams and identity theft, and what the professionals can do to help.”

Among the presenters scheduled to appear are Connie Lewis Hooker of Merrymeeting Bay TRIAD, which promotes senior safety and aims to reduce the fear of crime that local seniors often experience through education, assistance and reassurance; Lindsay Laxon, Esq., investor education manager with the Maine Office of Securities, which protects local investors by investigating and prosecuting violators of the securities laws; and Deputy Chief Marc Hagan of the Brunswick Police Department.

For more information, contact Ford at 725-2624, or Lewis at 725-4736.