Seniors' Identity Theft Dilemma
It sounds so simple: To help prevent identity theft, leave your Social Security card at home. That way, if your wallet gets stolen, the thief won't be able to set up accounts in your name.
That was the advice of Ed Farrell, associate director at Consumer Reports' National Research Center, when I interviewed him on camera recently.
But one astute reader, Sheri of Washington, took issue with that advice, because she says retirees with Medicare cards need to carry the cards with them in case of medical emergencies, and those cards contain Social Security numbers.
Sheri raises a great point, and one that is a common concern among seniors. Sally Hurme, consumer advocate at AARP, says she hears the question a lot, and her advice is that you do not need to carry your Medicare card around with you. If you know you are going to the doctor, then bring it along, but otherwise, leave it home. As for emergencies, Hurme says, "You may have to produce your Medicare card before you get out of the hospital, but you don't need the card to get in." Emergency rooms do not discriminate based on ability to pay.
Another option, says Beth Givens, director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, is to make a copy of your card and black out your Social Security number with a marker. Providers may be able to look up your medical records with that truncated version, she says. Meanwhile, Givens urges people concerned about this issue to contact their congressional representatives to encourage the federal government to stop using Social Security numbers on cards.
Tags: social security | senior citizens | identity theft | Social Security numbers | fraud
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Reader Comments
SS NUMBERS
The vererans administration has already done this. Our new ID cards have no SS number on them.Why can't the government do this for all the citizens??
Preventive Monitoring Thwarts ID Theft
Thanks for this article, Kimberly. Identity Theft continues to be the number one growing crime and that trend is not likely to abate anytime soon. What is interesting about ID Theft is that it is often perpetuated by someone known to the victim, or someone who has access to the victims identification. The best protection, since there are times that a SSN is required, is to monitor both account and credit activity and to immediately report any discrepancies. All three credit reporting agencies participate in the Free Annual Credit Report program (www.annualcreditreport.com) meaning if you stagger your requests, you can see your credit report every four months for free!
Felicia Donovan
THE BLACK WIDOW AGENCY
www.blackwidowagency.com
Actually, all of this is pretty backwards. We should be asking congress to outlaw the use of social security numbers for anything besides its original intended purpose, rather than force government agencies to hide the ID number like this. Once people can't apply for credit or open bank accounts using social security numbers, then it becomes useless to an identity thieve.
BE PREPARED
Well unfortunately this is becoming more and more commonplace. The question is not if but when will your identity will be stolen. My finacee had her medical identity stolen and I have had my financial identity stolen twice. We need to be proactive to make sure we are protected. After mine was stolen I got Identity Theft protection from Preppaidlegal. Best there is out there. Check it out with the link below. It is like having Fort Knox protecting all 5 areas of your identity.
All the best
Jon
www.prepaidlegaljon.com
Prepaid Legal SPAM
Prepaid Legal is Amway's answer to lawyers. They will harass you to sign up your friends and family. Just get a credit freeze (no charge in most states). And thanks for the comment SPAM Jon.
PrePaid Legal
Well Mr. Hastert. Pre-Paid Legal is not Amway's answer to lawyers. Pre-Paid legal is an open book. You can find out more information by checking on the New York Stock Exchange. Thier symbol is PPD. The only multi level marketing program that is listed on the NYSE. Plus Mr. Michael McCoy has also written a book, The Silent Crime, that discusses what you need to know about identity theft. The foreword is written by former Attorney General Mr. Mike Moore. You can also watch the 30 minute documentary that has been aired on TruTv, formerly known, as Court TV. The next showing is April 19, 2008. I suggest everyone just do their research before they criticize a company. Hmmm would citibank help you with a medical identity issue? I think not!!! However, having the identity theft shield tied in with your family legal plan can save 600 hours of trying to clear up your good name.
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Identity Theft
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Identity Theft
Most people never think of protecting their privacy before identity theft, rather than afterwards. Companies like www.theprivacypros.com do a great job of stopping identity theft before it starts. Anyone who is a homeowner needs to be really careful about their information because when you own a home all your information is out there for anyone to see unless you go with companies like The Privacy Professionals.
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Identity Theft
Members of our military, active and retired, have their social security number on their military identification card also. Family members of the soldier have two social security numbers on their ID card – their own SSN and the soldier’s SSN.
Please write your congressional representatives to encourage removal or at least truncation of social security numbers from government issued documents.
Visit these websites to reach them. https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml, www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Every effort to make life difficult for identity thieves is helpful.
www.IdTheftAwareness.com
Feb 08, 2008 11:49:58 AM [permalink] [report comment]