| The Federal Trade Commission has reported | | | | you can continue to get free reports until the |
| identity theft as the top consumer complaint, | | | | errors are corrected. All three credit reporting |
| affecting millions of Americans each year. Seniors | | | | agencies are required to give you a free report if |
| are particularly vulnerable, and identity theft | | | | you have been denied credit, or you suspect |
| affecting seniors rose 200%. Seniors are appealing | | | | fraud on your account. To get a free copy of |
| targets because they generally have higher credit | | | | your report, go to You can also request your |
| lines, home equity, and more savings than young | | | | credit report by phone. Call 1-877-322-8228 to |
| people. Seniors are also easy targets for e-mail | | | | request your credit reports by phone. Your |
| fraud, and charity fraud. Internet scams will often | | | | reports will be mailed to you. |
| instruct a senior to access their bank account | | | | You can contact all three credit reporting agencies |
| online in order to "correct an error". Most of the | | | | directly. The contact numbers for the three credit |
| time, seniors will be asked to click on a link inside | | | | reporting agencies are: |
| the e-mail, and they will be taken to a site that | | | | Equifax (800) 525-6285 |
| looks like their bank's or credit card's own site. | | | | Experian (888) 397-3742 |
| They will be asked for pin numbers, account | | | | Trans Union (800) 680-7289) |
| numbers and personal information. After that, the | | | | 3. Protect your mail. Do not leave mail in your box |
| identity thief gains access to their accounts, open | | | | overnight. Get a locking mailbox from your local |
| new credit cards, and steal funds. | | | | hardware store. They are relatively expensive, |
| Never release this type of information over the | | | | and well worth the investment. Deposit mail in US |
| internet, unless you are absolutely sure that you | | | | post offices, or US mailboxes. Do not leave mail |
| are on the correct website. The best way to be | | | | out for your postman to pick up, especially if your |
| sure is to log into a website directly, or call your | | | | mail contains personal checks! |
| bank's customer service department. Most banks | | | | 4. Shred all important documents. Use a paper |
| and credit cards have a 24-hour toll-free number | | | | shredder to destroy all important financial |
| for customer service and identity theft victims. If | | | | documents. Identity thieves often use trash bins |
| you suspect identity theft, immediately contact | | | | to "troll" for personal information. This technique is |
| your bank and credit cards companies. Cancel | | | | called "dumpster diving", and is one of the most |
| everything-if you are wrong, then you may | | | | common methods that thieves use to steal |
| experience a little inconvenience while you wait for | | | | financial information. |
| your new credit cards to arrive. If you are right, | | | | 5. Never give personal information over the phone |
| and identity theft has occurred, you can save | | | | unless you initiated the phone call. A common |
| yourself thousands of dollars and lots of | | | | scam is for a thief to call you, and claim to be |
| headaches if you act quickly. | | | | calling from your doctor's office. They ask to |
| Seniors are instructed to carry Medicare cards at | | | | "confirm" your insurance information, and social |
| all times. Their Medicare cards, in turn, have social | | | | security number, which most people supply |
| security numbers printed plainly on the front. If | | | | without thinking. Don't become a victim of this |
| possible, always leave social security cards and | | | | scam! Call your doctor's office directly, and ask |
| Medicare cards at home. If you are going to a | | | | them if they require the information. If the call |
| new doctor, take it with you, and then return it | | | | was fraudulent, contact your insurer, and the |
| to a safe place when you come home. | | | | police. |
| If a business requests your social security number | | | | If you are still a victim of identity theft, don't |
| without a legitimate reason, refuse to give it. | | | | panic. Go to your local police station, and file a |
| Health care providers, the social security | | | | police report. Your bank and credit cards cannot |
| administration, and the IRS are a few of the | | | | make you legally responsible for crimes |
| organizations that have a legitimate reason for | | | | committed in your name by an identity thief. |
| requesting your social security number. Small | | | | Contact the credit reporting agencies, and place a |
| businesses, such as your veterinarian, handyman, | | | | fraud alert on your account. If creditors begin |
| or grocery store clerk should not ask for your | | | | calling, tell them that you are the victim of identity |
| social security number. | | | | theft, and that you request to be contacted in |
| 5 Easy Tips to Help Protect Your Identity | | | | writing. That way, you can respond with a copy |
| 1. Print checks with as little information as possible. | | | | of the police report and a letter. DO NOT PAY |
| Use only your first initial, last name, and address. | | | | CREDITORS FOR FRAUDULENT CHARGES! Many |
| If you have a business address, use it in lieu of | | | | collection agencies purposely intimidate and bully |
| your home address. That way, if your checks are | | | | identity theft victims. This is sad, but true. After |
| ever stolen, your home address is protected. This | | | | consulting multiple identity theft victims, I am |
| is especially important for female seniors, who | | | | constantly shocked by how many are also victims |
| may live alone. Do not print your phone number | | | | of creditor abuse. If you become a victim of |
| or social security number on your checks. | | | | creditor harassment, report the credit card |
| 2. Get a copy of your credit report every year. | | | | company or creditor to the Federal Trade |
| It's free, and if you find errors on your report, | | | | Commission. |