Courtesy of Ora DeMorrow

When most people think of ID theft, credit cards, bank accounts, and checks come to mind. Seniors must also be aware of other increasingly common forms of ID theft—medical, Social Security, driver’s license, and character/criminal—any of which could be even more detrimental. Let's review all five:

Financial ID theft: Around 46% of all ID theft cases are of the financial type. ID thieves use stolen personal information to obtain new accounts and stolen card numbers to charge up accounts. They write fraudulent checks, empty bank accounts, obtain loans, and much more.

Medical ID theft: Your health insurance and medical records are at risk. When you go to the hospital, all that is required to get treatment is a name and a Social Security number. Many scammers use stolen information for access to health insurance. Then what can happen? You get charged for treatments and medications that are not yours. If the diagnosis is related to drug addiction, your insurance company may very well drop you or raise your rates.

Worse, whatever the treatment may be, that information can overlay your personal medical records. Type A blood might be changed to type O. A serious allergy notation might be overwritten. This type of fraud can kill you.

Because medical ID theft has received little attention compared to financial ID crimes, it is extremely difficult to prevent or detect. A significant degree of consumer protection has been developed to assist in safeguarding financial records (e.g., credit reports, credit card transaction records, bank and investment account data), but few services are available to monitor, protect, or repair your medical records.

Each of us must take steps to protect our medical information. To ensure that your medical ID is clear, and to ensure your safety, be sure to review your personal medical records before any hospital or outpatient procedure, whether minor or major. Additionally, regularly monitor your medical records and account information, giving particular attention to invoices and insurance claims (both paper and online) in order to avoid becoming one of the growing number of medical ID theft victims.

Social Security ID theft: Years ago, every identification card included your Social Security number as a primary identifier. Before the digital age, this was less of a threat than it is now. Today, the cards that continue to display Social Security numbers are medical cards—military medical ID cards and Medicare cards.

For seniors, these are easily the most needed pieces of identification, which is why they are commonly carried in purses and wallets.

Social Security ID theft is the form of ID theft used most commonly among the illegal immigrant communities, but it is also widespread worldwide as a way for people to exploit and take on victims’ lives.

Social Security numbers are bought and sold, and then used to obtain employment (and not pay taxes) and legal documents, access confidential data, and so much more. These numbers are the most valuable form of currency in the major drug and crime rings around the world.

When at all possible, do not carry any identification that states your Social Security number. Do not divulge your Social Security number to anyone you do not know or who solicits you for that information. When you have to say your Social Security number, do so quietly and privately.