Seniors Warned About Growing Threat Of Identity Theft

By Jan Howard

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. Modern technology is making it possible for thousands of Americans every year to have their financial identities stolen or used without authorization.

Identity theft occurs when someone appropriates your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. Such crimes usually occur through illegal access to credit cards, ATM or calling card numbers, or Social Security number. It can also happen with banking, investments, or insurance accounts.

  Attorney General Richard Blumenthal warned participants in a Senior Consumer Awareness Day on April 26 in Monroe to never give out their financial account numbers or other identifying numbers, such as Social Security, over the telephone because they can be used for identity theft.

“They are ready to exploit you if you’re not protecting yourself,” he said.

According to the National Fraud Information Center, it is estimated there are 14,000 illegal telemarketing operations bilking United States citizens of at least $40 billion annually. Surveys by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reveal that over half of telemarketing fraud victims are age 50 or older.

The goal of Senior Consumer Awareness Day was to promote financial safety and personal awareness for senior citizens. It was hosted by Miracle Faith Outreach Ministry in Monroe and sponsored by People’s Bank, CAPS (Community Awareness Program for Seniors), Monroe Police Department and Monroe Senior Resource Center.

The first indication that your identity has been stolen may be a call from a credit card company about some large purchases being made to your account, according to FBI Special Agent Lisa Bull.

A call might also come from a collection agency inquiring about an overdue bill, but you may not even have an account with that particular company. Your identity has been stolen and used to obtain credit through the use of your personal information.

Ms Bull noted that the FBI investigates violations of federal law involving interstate commerce. Most of the federal investigations involve white collar crimes. In 1999, they amounted to 34 percent of the convictions; $3.8 billion was recovered, she said.

According to the US Secret Service, in 1997, losses to consumers and institutions due to identity theft totaled $745 million.

Ms Bull said that one individual who had her financial identity stolen was receiving mail with her name misspelled on credit card bills.

“They had all the correct information except the correct name spelling. Her identity had been stolen. They charged her credit cards to the limit,” said the agent.

Det Bernard Halapin of Monroe Police Department said identity thefts are becoming more of a problem locally through illegal obtaining of a person’s Social Security or credit card number.

Many insurance companies use a person’s Social Security number as their policy number, making it easier for someone to obtain that number for illegal purposes. “There should be a better way of identifying someone besides using a Social Security number,” Det Halapin said.

“Make sure to do the paperwork in a secure area,” he advised when applying for a job or any other activity that requires listing Social Security or credit card numbers.

If personal checks are stolen, contact your bank, he said. When using a credit card, make sure to obtain all copies to avoid a copy with your signature on it being used again.

When hiring a home health care worker, go through an agency, Det Halapin advised. “If you hire one on your own, you may have your money or credit cards stolen.” In any event, secure everything in a safe place to avoid theft, he said.

Do not put your account number on the envelope when sending a payment on any bill, he advised.

Moderator Gerd Weindling, president of Connecticut AARP, advised those in attendance to keep all receipts from credit cards and check them against their statements. “Rip up the receipts after they are checked off,” he said.

Don’t carry too many credit cards at one time, he said. “Don’t take all of them with you because the potential for loss or scam or fraud is great.”

Angela DeLeon of People’s Bank cautioned against the use of balance transfer checks. The transfer rate is usually only good for six months, then the rate increases. The checks included with the offer should not be just thrown away, Ms DeLeon said. They should be shredded so no one can use them. Any personal financial statements should also be shredded once you are through with them, she said.

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day coming up, she advised seniors to ask their children for the gift of a small paper shredder.

The easiest way to steal an identity is through what is in your purse or wallet, Ms DeLeon said.

When they steal your purse or wallet, she said, “They know your name, where you live, your next of kin. They have all the information they need to fill out a credit card application. They may have to try at least ten, but at least one will have a hit.

“The easiest place for stealing a purse is in a shopping center in the day time,” she said. “They work so fast, and the pocketbook is gone.

“In your purse, you have keys to your house and car,” she said. “They know you’re stuck because they have the keys to your house and car.”

If your purse is stolen, Ms DeLeon said, “Call a neighbor right away. Ask them to please watch your house, and tell them the police are on their way. Your next call is to the police department. Your third call is to a locksmith. Get the locks to your house changed.”

The best defense is to not carry a purse, she said. “It invites someone to mug you.”

She advised against carrying a shoulder bag. “If someone grabs it, you can be hurt,” she noted. “If someone wants it, give it up. It’s not worth your life or six months in rehab.”

She said women have suffered serious injuries during a purse snatching. The safest way to carry a purse, she continued, is under your arm.

“You don’t have to carry everything in a purse,” she said. Necessary items, such as an ID, shopping list, pills in a case, glasses, and a credit card, can be carried on your person instead, she added, suggesting they be carried in a deep pocket or in a fanny pack.

“Keys should always be on your person, not in your pocketbook,” she said. In that case, if your purse is stolen, you still have your house and car keys.

 “Don’t carry purses at casinos,” she said. You might think you’re safe with them between your feet, but they can be easily grabbed, she noted. Never leave your purse or wallet unattended.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft may be made through various means. A new credit card account may be opened, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When someone uses the credit card and then doesn’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.

In other scenarios, someone might open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account or call a credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account. Because the bills are sent to the new address, you may not immediately realize there is a problem.

With your Social Security number, driver’s license and fake credit card, anyone can receive additional valid credit cards or debit cards in your name and damage your credit.

The AARP offers the following tips on how to protect yourself from identity theft:

*Properly dispose of papers with personal information. Tear up charge receipts, bank statements, expired credit cards, and credit offers.

*Give out Social Security numbers only when required. Don’t have it printed on checks.

*Reduce the number of cards you carry. Don’t carry your Social Security number, birth certificate, or passport with you.

*Get a copy of your credit report at least once a year to check for errors.

*Be aware of others nearby when entering a PIN.

*Don’t give your credit card or bank account number over the phone unless you have placed the call and know the business.