Unfortunately, we live in a day and age when it’s easier to take advantage of one of the most vulnerable groups in our society than ever. The elderly are constantly being prayed upon by scammers, fraudsters, and outright criminals. Fortunately, there are several steps seniors can take to shield themselves from identity theft. Please continue reading and reach out to a seasoned Los Angeles, California senior identity theft lawyer from LA Legal Solutions to learn more about what you or your loved one can do to keep your private information safe. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What can I do to prevent senior identity theft?
The first step you can take in preventing identity theft is understanding where it comes from and how it happens. Since we live in the digital age, identity theft in many cases happens online, either through phishing scams, deceptive emails, and more. For this reason, five things that every senior citizen should do (and everyone else, for that matter) to deter identity theft are as follows:
- Be wary of the emails you receive. Emails asking for money, or purporting to be from a reputable source, such as a bank, will sometimes try and trick people into clicking links or providing them with private information. Once they click such a link, the hacker is in and has access to their personal information.
- Always shred personal papers. Any document with personal information, such as credit card info, that you are not saving in a safe spot should be shredded or destroyed before discarding. Thieves will literally rummage through the trash to find this information if left intact.
- Get your mail right away. Sometimes, private info, such as your Social Security number, will be in your mail. All it takes is a thief to open your mailbox and grab it for them to ruin your life.
- Understand that the IRS or any other government entity will never email or call you asking for payment (or for any reason, for that matter). Any notice from the government will be provided via paper mail. Do not respond to these calls or emails under any circumstances.
- If you’re at the ATM, ensure no one is behind you. Sometimes, people will look over your shoulder to get your PIN number, or will even flat out try to still your cash once you’ve withdrawn it.
Taking the above steps can drastically decrease the chances of you ever becoming a victim of identity theft. That said, if you’ve been made a victim, you need to act fast. Speak with a knowledgeable LA identity theft lawyer from our firm to learn more about how we can help you going forward.
