Senior citizens are at an elevated risk to be the targets of identity theft. As more Americans age and as technology becomes even more deeply embedded into daily life, older consumers are facing a range of difficulties and hurdles they have never faced before.
More and more, elderly Americans are having to share sensitive personal information with any number of people, ranging from doctors to attorneys, financial advisors, and healthcare workers. Sometimes, elderly people have to submit this information online or electronically. For many senior citizens, the use of technology is daunting and they have significant difficulties in differentiating between what is a legitimate request from a trusted person and what is a potential con or situation that may lead to identity theft.
As part of its efforts to protect elderly Americans, the Federal Trade Commission recently asked for information from the public. The commission asked citizens to report information about identity theft, the types of schemes or tactics used by people targeting seniors, as well as what precautions seniors can take and how private sector solutions can assist them in preventing identity theft.
If you believe you may have been the victim of identity theft or want more information, you should contact your attorney as soon as possible. You can also visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website for more information about identity theft, how you can prevent it, and what you can do if you think you’ve had your identity stolen. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/data/idt.shtm
