This ID theft is quickly becoming one of the most popular and lucrative forms of identity theft. It also is potentially the most dangerous for you. Over the past five years the medical community has switched to digital records, making it easier for these records to be stolen. These hackers are hitting insurance companies and hospitals where, if they are successful, they get the most information. But large medical practices and other medical providers are not immune either.
For years, the medical community has been collecting information from you, some of it they do not need. Social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, date of birth, bank account information, credit and debit card information, all of this is the reason that this information is being stolen.
With this information someone can receive medical care as if they were you. Not to mention opening new accounts in your name. This could take up to a year or maybe more to fix, especially the medical information. All of a sudden you have medical conditions and are taking drugs that are for someone else not you. All medical care that someone else receives is now on your medical records.
If you are over 65 years old you probably have applied for Medicare, well guess what your social security number is your Medicare number and it’s printed right on your card for everyone to use and steal. That is our government in action. This would be easy to fix.
So what can you do to try and protect yourself from this kind of ID theft? Do not give your social security number or driver’s license number when getting medical care. They are rarely needed. Destroy your old medical records. Check your credit reports on a regular basis. I highly recommend that you use a credit monitoring service. They will monitor your social number, driver’s license, bank accounts, investments as well as criminal and civil records.
If you become a victim you should file a police report. Then start making phone calls and writing letters to the hospitals and doctors involved. You should consider freezing your credit. Make sure that you keep detailed records of everyone you speak to or otherwise contact. If you don’t already have a credit monitoring service get one. Get copies of your medical records so that you can get the medical conditions, treatments and drugs removed that do not pertain to you. This will be a long process and involve many hours on your part, don’t give up.
