My elderly parents get dozens of calls each week from charities, telemarketers etc. Mom still knows to hang up but dad will fall into long chats and gets mad if I try to intervene. These guys are very good. They sense immediately they've got an elder on the line and will play all the angles. You can work you're butt off signing up on do not call lists and contacting the authorities but it really does very little to stop these guys. I have just ordered a call blocker that was mentioned on another site. It's from hqtelecom. Model 1B 120. You can set it up to block numbers and/or area codes or set it up to only allow the numbers you have programmed. Mom thinks it's a good idea. Dad probably won't know it's been installed. I will report back at a later date with a review of the device.
Sadly, this article misses a very big issue with identity theft and that is the fact that checks are the worst form of payment out there. Once you write a check anyone can get the address, routing number and account.
It is far better to pay ones bills online than via the mail. Most identity theft occurs from people stealing in the trash.
When you shred your papers with a shredder do not throw them out, clean out the refrigerator and make the papers nasty. The nastier the better.
Also credit cards need to be signed and not say SEE ID. Here is the reason SEE ID means shows a drivers license and a fake drivers license is the easiest thing to come up with, think about it most teenagers get one so they can drink.
Credit card fraud is a misdemeanor where as if the card is signed, then not only did they commit credit fraud they created forgery which is a felony. Forgery comes with jail time.
I am not sure how Agingcare decides who writes what articles, but more research needs to be put into these articles. If you want good information on identity theft get an individual from a privacy company or a fraud investigator from the credit card companies.
The tips I shared are information I got from these two types of individuals. I also worked for a company where someone got a check and tried to write checks on the company.
And sorry when it comes to credit card fraud I listen to the experts from the credit card companies because they are the ones who have to investigate the issues and not attorneys.
In addition to this information, the AARP magazine advised to put a 'freeze' on their credit by contacting the 3 Credit agencies. If your parents or elderly and are not going to be using any more credit...(my parents won't). so I'm think of doing this and then no one can access their accounts and open up any new accounts.
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How to Protect Elderly Parents from Identity Theft
It is far better to pay ones bills online than via the mail. Most identity theft occurs from people stealing in the trash.
When you shred your papers with a shredder do not throw them out, clean out the refrigerator and make the papers nasty. The nastier the better.
Also credit cards need to be signed and not say SEE ID. Here is the reason SEE ID means shows a drivers license and a fake drivers license is the easiest thing to come up with, think about it most teenagers get one so they can drink.
Credit card fraud is a misdemeanor where as if the card is signed, then not only did they commit credit fraud they created forgery which is a felony. Forgery comes with jail time.
I am not sure how Agingcare decides who writes what articles, but more research needs to be put into these articles. If you want good information on identity theft get an individual from a privacy company or a fraud investigator from the credit card companies.
The tips I shared are information I got from these two types of individuals. I also worked for a company where someone got a check and tried to write checks on the company.
And sorry when it comes to credit card fraud I listen to the experts from the credit card companies because they are the ones who have to investigate the issues and not attorneys.