The Small Business Development Center at the Ohio State University South Centers, in partnership with US Bank will be offering a free fraud awareness seminar.

Identity theft, check fraud and Internet and e-mail scams are among the fastest-growing crimes in the U.S. today.

The FBI estimates that 500,000 to 700,000 Americans are victimized by identity theft alone each year.

Fraud awareness is a free, 3-hour seminar designed to help you learn how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

The seminar is being offered in three locations.

They are:

4May 5 at Ohio University Southern, Ironton.

4May 11 at the University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande.

4May 17 at Shawnee State University, Portsmouth.

All seminars will begin at 9 a.m. and run until noon.

This seminar is being offered free of charge, however, registration is suggested.

For additional information on specific locations and to register, please contact Christie Welch at (800) 860-7232 (Ohio only) or (740) 289-3727 or via e-mail to:

welch.183@osu.edu.