Preventing Identity Theft
By Cassie
I can’t tell you how many times my mother has told me “you can never be too cautious”. The recession has generated even more fear in people and rightly so when every time you turn around another successful scam is perpetrated. Elders have always been considered, as a population, more vulnerable to crime.
But modern crime that often impacts seniors occurs more stealthily. Identify theft often impacts the elderly.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is one crime that doesn’t really cross our minds when it comes to the elderly, but anyone with a Social Security number is at risk. Healthcare, credit and employment theft are all possible within the elderly population. In general, elders are not as computer oriented. They still receive statements, applications, tax and investment information through the mail. The mail is a great target for thieves who are looking to steal your identity. The mail also has a greater lag time for persons who check their statements. A lot can be stolen in a month when you do not check your accounts weekly or daily.
Healthcare theft can be perpetrated through identity theft. Persons have received medical care, including major surgeries under false names. This is a major issue for the elderly, as treatment can be denied if claims are showing up under a person’s name as unpaid or misdiagnoses can occur and credit scores can be damaged. Social Security numbers can also be used to obtain employment and collect government benefits. All of this fraudulent activity can go undetected for months or years.
Some things that can assist you or a loved one in avoiding identity theft is to shred all documents with any personal information on it, never reveal any personal information over the phone including your Social Security number, account number, PIN numbers and health information. You always have the option of getting the name of the company and calling back to make sure they are a legitimate company.
Take Action
Other steps you can take include:
- Carefully get rid of papers with personal information. Tear up or shred charge receipts, bank statements, expired credit cards, credit offers.
- Cut back the number of cards you carry. Don’t routinely take your Social Security number, birth certificate or passport with you.
- Be aware of others who are nearby when you’re using your PIN. Don’t throw your ATM receipt in the wastebasket.
- Don’t give your credit card or bank account number over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you confirm you are able to independently confirm you are dealing with an actual representative of a legitimate business.
- Secure personal information in your home, especially if you employ outside help or are having work done in your home.
- Be extra careful about what you reveal about yourself when you are online at social networking sites, chat rooms, genealogy or class reunion sites. You never know who is watching. Identity thieves could be cruising these sites for clues to piece together just what they need to steal your identity.
- Get help from the Federal Trade Commission if you become a victim.
- Check your credit report.
- Consider putting a “security freeze” on your credit reports.
- Learn more ways to reduce your risk of identity theft by taking AARP’s online id theft prevention course.
If you believe that your Social Security number is being used in some illegal fashion, you need to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General. They can then begin to look into the situation for you and resolve any problems.
Here is the contact information for Inspector General. Visit online at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig, call them at 1-800-269-0271.
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