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Identity Theft: Get the 411 So You Don’t Have to Call 911
- By Tony Mercado
- Published 06/28/2008
- Overcoming Adversity
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Tony Mercado
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Have you ever been a victim of Identity Theft? You may not know it if you have. Identity theft is the silent crime. You won’t know you’ve been victimized until well after the damage has been done. According to FTC estimates, as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.
Despite all the hype surrounding financial identity theft, there are other areas that can be even more problematic. When John came to me for help he was beside himself. He was a new father and had just applied for life insurance only to be denied. Why? A comprehensive case history of diabetes. John wasn't diabetic. Someone had stolen his medical identity and received treatment under his name. The codes labeling him high risk prevented him from qualifying for life insurance. Sound extreme? It happens all the time.
Most are at least aware of the basics to protect against financial identity theft, but there are other, very damaging ways that someone can steal your identity.
In "Financial Identity Theft" someone opens an account in your name without your knowledge, making you financially responsible for a debt. In order to do this, the thief will more than likely have your social security number as well as other identifying information about you.
Another, less often talked about form of identity theft is "Social Security Identity Theft." In these cases, the thief will sell your social security number to illegal aliens so that they can secure a job.
"Medical Identity Theft" can potentially affect your ability to obtain health benefits based on whether the thief is able to establish your medical history. This could prevent you from obtaining employment, future medical insurance, life insurance, and so on. That's what John endured.
"Character or Criminal Identity Theft” is when the thief uses an innocent person’s information when talking to law enforcement in order to avoid getting into trouble.
Last but not least, there’s "Driver's License Identity Theft." In this case, someone obtains your driver's license identity and pretends to be you when they are stopped for traffic violations or if they are involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Because the effects of these crimes can be far-reaching, it is important to report them when they happen. If you suspect you’ve been the victim of identity theft, you should take these steps:
1. File an Identity Theft Report with your local police department.
2. Alert banks, credit card agencies, the DMV and others that your identity has been compromised. While it is rare for the Social Security office to provide a new social security number, special steps can be taken to prevent additional problems. In the case of a medical issue, you'll have to contact your providers and alert them to flag your file. Compile documentation to support your claims of health.
3. Monitor your financial, medical and personal records carefully to make sure additional problems don’t arise.
A police report that provides specific details of the identity theft is considered an Identity Theft Report, which entitles you to certain legal rights when it is provided to the three major credit reporting agencies or to companies where the thief misused your information.
An Identity Theft Report can be used to permanently block fraudulent information that results from identity theft, such as accounts or addresses, from appearing on your credit report. It will also make sure these debts do not reappear on your credit reports. Identity Theft Reports can prevent a company from continuing to collect debts that result from identity theft, or selling them to others for collection. An Identity Theft Report is also needed to place an extended fraud alert on your credit report.
Identity theft doesn't discriminate. People from all walks of life are potential victims. Successfully dealing with it requires diligence and care.
In my next article we’ll explore the different types of identity theft in greater detail and show you how you can begin to protect yourself on all five fronts.
Despite all the hype surrounding financial identity theft, there are other areas that can be even more problematic. When John came to me for help he was beside himself. He was a new father and had just applied for life insurance only to be denied. Why? A comprehensive case history of diabetes. John wasn't diabetic. Someone had stolen his medical identity and received treatment under his name. The codes labeling him high risk prevented him from qualifying for life insurance. Sound extreme? It happens all the time.
Most are at least aware of the basics to protect against financial identity theft, but there are other, very damaging ways that someone can steal your identity.
In "Financial Identity Theft" someone opens an account in your name without your knowledge, making you financially responsible for a debt. In order to do this, the thief will more than likely have your social security number as well as other identifying information about you.
Another, less often talked about form of identity theft is "Social Security Identity Theft." In these cases, the thief will sell your social security number to illegal aliens so that they can secure a job.
"Medical Identity Theft" can potentially affect your ability to obtain health benefits based on whether the thief is able to establish your medical history. This could prevent you from obtaining employment, future medical insurance, life insurance, and so on. That's what John endured.
"Character or Criminal Identity Theft” is when the thief uses an innocent person’s information when talking to law enforcement in order to avoid getting into trouble.
Last but not least, there’s "Driver's License Identity Theft." In this case, someone obtains your driver's license identity and pretends to be you when they are stopped for traffic violations or if they are involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Because the effects of these crimes can be far-reaching, it is important to report them when they happen. If you suspect you’ve been the victim of identity theft, you should take these steps:
1. File an Identity Theft Report with your local police department.
2. Alert banks, credit card agencies, the DMV and others that your identity has been compromised. While it is rare for the Social Security office to provide a new social security number, special steps can be taken to prevent additional problems. In the case of a medical issue, you'll have to contact your providers and alert them to flag your file. Compile documentation to support your claims of health.
3. Monitor your financial, medical and personal records carefully to make sure additional problems don’t arise.
A police report that provides specific details of the identity theft is considered an Identity Theft Report, which entitles you to certain legal rights when it is provided to the three major credit reporting agencies or to companies where the thief misused your information.
An Identity Theft Report can be used to permanently block fraudulent information that results from identity theft, such as accounts or addresses, from appearing on your credit report. It will also make sure these debts do not reappear on your credit reports. Identity Theft Reports can prevent a company from continuing to collect debts that result from identity theft, or selling them to others for collection. An Identity Theft Report is also needed to place an extended fraud alert on your credit report.
Identity theft doesn't discriminate. People from all walks of life are potential victims. Successfully dealing with it requires diligence and care.
In my next article we’ll explore the different types of identity theft in greater detail and show you how you can begin to protect yourself on all five fronts.
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