Tagged: identity theft

Why Seniors Are Easy Targets for Online Identity Theft

Americans over 65 are easy targets for online identity theft. That’s because they grew up in an era when there were no personal computers or cybercrime. If you’re a senior, find out what you can do to avoid becoming a victim.

Have You Been Hacked Using On Campus Wifi?

If you’re a college student addicted to WiFi, when you’re surfing the Internet or cracking the books on campus, you could get hacked. That’s because some school wireless networks that students hop onto every day aren’t controlled or secured by their IT administrators.

medical records

Correcting Misinformation on Medical Records

Misinformation on medical records may be caused by human error or identity theft. It can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis of a condition and could be fatal if the information causes a drug interaction, allergic reaction or inappropriate diagnoses. You should be able to fully correct medical records created in your name. HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a federal privacy act that protects patients from unauthorized access to personal medical information and addresses the problem of errors in medical records.

Medical Identity Theft Could Be Dangerous to Your Health

Nearly one and a half million U.S. consumers were victims of medical identity theft in 2010, according to a study by The Ponemon Institute. Even more shocking: Nine out of ten U.S. consumers know nothing about the crime. If you’re one of them, that could be dangerous to your health and your finances.

privacy

That’s Not My Blood Type: Financial Medical Identity Theft

Consumers are usually surprised to find out how far reaching identity theft can be. It can affect many different parts of a victim’s life. One growing form is medical identity theft, which is often difficult to deal with due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and other privacy laws. Even within the category of medical identity theft, there are multiple forms of the crime. Read on for some basic information on one form of medical identity theft called financial medical identity theft, and also the process for cleaning up the mess.

mobile apps

Smartphone Safety and Tax Apps

Filing your taxes? There’s an app for that. Actually, there are a few apps for that. These days time is a precious commodity and the ability to file your taxes through your Smartphone seems like a dream come true. You are now able to snap a picture of your W-2 with your Smartphone, have the information automatically entered and then submitted to the federal government. It doesn’t get much easier than that. Convenience though, often goes hand in hand with a lower level of security and these Smartphone apps are no exception. In order to understand the risks of using these apps one must look at just what is available, what the risks of usage are, and how to protect oneself.

How Identity Thieves Can Steal Your Tax Refund

If you find yourself waiting longer than usual for your income tax refund this year, it could be because identity thieves have already claimed it. Tax related identity theft is the fastest growing form of ID theft, according to a recent Scripps Howard News Service investigation. Find out what you can do to avoid becoming a victim.

taxes

Protecting Yourself While Filing Your Taxes Online

There are actually four “tax times” throughout the year, but for most people April 15th is “THE tax time.” It can be a very stressful time of year and the last thing you need to worry about is identity theft. While figuring out if that new pair of shoes could be a “business expense” may have you pulling your hair out, taking some simple precautions can help you avoid having your identity stolen. Follow these precautions to help ensure that finishing your taxes is a time to celebrate, not a time to start worrying.

Tax Season and Online Security: The Social Media Privacy Report

Tax season is here and the deadline to file your taxes, April 18, is rapidly approaching. This time of year normally brings some added pressure, as taxpayers must organize their financial paperwork and sit down for the dreaded conversation with their accountant. But with the new world of social media in the mix, things get even more complicated as invasions of privacy and online scams make tax time even more difficult.

college student

College Students and Identity Theft: Ways to Help Protect Yourself

College is supposed to be fun. It is a time many look back upon with smiles and fond memories. Of course, final exams and uppity professors can put a temporary cramp in an otherwise extended party. The last thing a college student wants to worry about is their identity being stolen. However, with 24% of all identity theft complaints being in the 18-29 year old age bracket, it is a reality college students need to be prepared for. Read on to learn about simple protective measures that can make a significant difference in protecting your teen’s belongings and personal identifying information.

baby

Child Identity Theft: My Three Year Old Bought a Car?

Child identity theft occurs when a minor’s identity is used by another person for personal gain. The perpetrator may be a family member or someone known by the family. It could also be a complete stranger who purposely targets children. Because of the lengthy time between the theft of the information and the discovery of the crime, children are a primary target for identity thieves. The period between malicious use of the identity and discovery of that use can be many years, usually happening when the child reaches 18 and starts to establish their own credit file.