Identity Theft Threatens the Military

By Stacy Whelchel
Do you know anyone in the military? This recent New York Times article is something interesting that you might want to share with them and any loved ones.

This article reports the unsettling conclusion of a research project by an U.S. Army intelligence officer/West Point professor who examined the common use of Social Security numbers throughout the daily lives of soldiers and their families.

He suggests that in the world of bases and outposts around the world, this frequent exposure of soldiers' confidential information opens up the threat of identity theft for those admirably serving our country.

While the military branches and the U.S. Department of Defense have acknowledged the problem and claim solutions are in the works, identity thieves continue to take advantage of these types of oversights to victimize not only those in the armed forces, but the civilian population as well.

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There are 5 types of Identity Theft--Medical is 1 of them...

Medical identity theft is a growing problem. But many people haven't heard of it. And those who have may not fully understand it.


When people think of identity theft, it's usually associated with fraudulent spending. You have to worry about lines of credit opened in your name. The thief could go as far as getting your name on a hefty mortgage.

But identity theft isn't just about what's on your credit report. Alongside your financial identity is your medical identity. And sadly that can be stolen, too.

It's true that medical identity theft harms insurance companies. But it absolutely can affect you as well. In fact, the risks run far deeper than a blemish on your credit report. Medical identity theft can cost you your life. And no, that is not mere hyperbole.

To understand the risks of medical identity theft, you first need to understand what it is. A criminal will obtain your name and insurance card number. They then use this information to obtain medical service or goods.

For example, the thief can use the information to obtain prescription drugs. Or they could use your insurance card to get cheaper doctor's visits. They could even use your medical identity to get full operations.

Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of identity theft. So, I can understand why you might think that it isn't your responsibility to protect against medical identity theft.

But the real danger with medical identity theft isn't the financial burden. It is much more sinister.

When someone uses your information, their information can become part of your health record. For example, their blood type can make its way into your records. You may later need a blood transfusion. You get the wrong blood type, which can have fatal consequences.

Or maybe the thief receives treatment for diabetes. This becomes part of your record. When you apply for insurance, you'll pay for a higher rate. Or, the insurer may believe that you're lying on your application. You may be declined.

You might also fail pre-employment screenings due to the thief's medical condition. Or, maybe the thief uses up all your insurance benefits. You're denied treatment for a serious condition.

To make matters worse, medical identity theft isn't easy to clean up. With caregivers moving to electronic records, good luck keeping a lid on the damage! Erroneous information can be transmitted to many different providers.

This is enough to make anyone panic. But I wouldn't give you such concerning news without a solution. There are certainly ways to protect your medical identity.

For starters you need to consistently look over your medical bills and insurance statements. Make sure you look diligently for any discrepancies. If anything seems fishy, call your insurance provider.

Next you need to keep a close eye on your health insurance cards. These cards are the key to your entire medical identity. Guard them as closely as you guard your credit cards and bank information.

Finally, you have a way to verify personal health care records. The Medical Information Bureau is required to maintain this information. It brings together information from hundreds of insurance companies. And it can provide you this information for free.

All you have to do is call. If you've applied for disability, life or health insurance in the last seven years, you can obtain a report. The phone number for the Medical Information Bureau is 1-866-692-6901.

I know what you're thinking: This sounds like a lot of work. Well, it is. And you can still run into trouble with medical identity theft. But there is a better solution. Guard your information carefully and review your records periodically. But enlist the help of professionals for greater protection.

New Scam Targets Victims Through Text Messages

By Stacy Whelchel
There's a new word in the vocabulary used to identity security risks that pose threats in our high tech world. This time "smishing" is having an impact on those who favor text messaging.  

Basically, instead of a phishing scam distributed through emails, smishing hoaxes are sent through SMS or text service messages received on cell phones. The con is consistent though; a trusted sender, such as a bank, relays a text communicating that an urgent matter requires the recipient to verify account information and passwords through a toll-free phone call with a voice response system or by a return text message.  
With emails as well as text messages, caution is always advised especially when confidential information is requested. A direct phone call to a bank or the alleged sender is usually an appropriate and safe response to any suspect written inquiry.
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