If you are responsible for the elderly care of an aging loved one, you might already be aware that seniors are at an even higher risk for identity theft than their younger counterparts. This is due to many reasons, one being that the thieves might think that can get away with it easier, or that your loved one’s information is easier to steal.
Regardless of their reasoning, though, there are several ways that identity thieves can go about stealing your elderly mother or father’s identity. Knowing these ways, you can be more proactive, and can prevent the information from being lost, and used for nefarious purposes.
Here are a few of the ways that identity thieves work, and how to stop them:
- Email scams – Getting an email requesting personal information may make you feel like you should provide that information as quickly as possible. However, most doctor’s offices and other companies NEVER solicit information via email, and no matter how official that email might look, it is most likely a scam. You can thwart the criminals by simply not taking the bait, and not providing person information via email, ever, unless you have spoken with someone in real life, and are absolutely sure that it is legitimate.
- ATMs – ATMs are a prime territory for identity thieves. The more skilled ones can put a device on the machine that will read the cards that are swiped and steal their information, and the less skilled ones can just read over your shoulder as you type in your information on the screen. To prevent these things, always jiggle the card swiping slot before you swipe your card. If it is loose or comes off, it is one of these devices used by criminals. To avoid them reading over your shoulder, simply try to shield the screen when you type in your password, and always keep your card close, and the numbers on the front hidden from view.
- Trash cans – This is one of the oldest ways that identity thieves get their information: simply going through your trash. If you throw away old bills, receipts, or anything else that has personal information on it, they can find it and use it for their own purposes. To avoid this, simply tear up or shred any documents you throw away, so that none of the personal information is legible.
- Other scams – Calls that say you won a big trip, or letters that come in the mail announcing that you or your loved one have one a big contest you never entered are all ways to get you to give out your personal information. Never trust a company you have never heard of, and even if you have heard of them, don’t trust that they would randomly send you a prize when you never entered a contest.
The best way to prevent your loved one’s identity from being stolen is simply to be smart. Don’t leave personal information lying around, and don’t throw things away without shredding them. If something online looks too good to be true, it probably is, and if you never entered a contest, don’t expect to win a prize, or to be given that prize over the phone or via the mail. Be vigilant in monitoring your loved one’s information, and you will prevent their identity from being stolen.
If you are considering hiring elderly care services near Wooster, Ohio, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161. Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Mt. Gilead, Loudonville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas.
Source:
http://www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education/information/ways-thieves-steal-your-identity
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