How Low will Identity Thieves Go? Apparently 6 feet under.

Just when you think that thieves can’t get any lower, they find a new low of lows. Each year in the United States 2.5 Million deceased Americans get their identities stolen. Most of these thieves are deliberately targeting deceased families by combing through obituaries in local papers. Most often in news paper obituaries unknowing families are providing information that thieves can use such as: date of birth, place of birth, full name, mother’s maiden names and so on.

This form of identity theft is called ghosting. A recent AARP Bulletin by Sid Kirchiem entitles “Dead Ringers”, states that in 2011 the IRS paid out $5.2B in refunds to the deceased. When a family member passes away the last thing most people are thinking about it identity theft. But there are a few things you can do to prevent it from occurring.

http://www.idtheftcenter.org/artman2/publish/c_guide/Fact_Sheet_117_IDENTITY_THEFT_AND_THE_DECEASED_-_PREVENTION_AND_VICTIM_TIPS.shtml

• ·         Inform each of the Credit Bureaus

• ·         Notify banks and credit card companies

• ·         Notify the Social Security Administration

• ·         Limit information on any Obituaries

·         Get a credit report of the decease and monitor it for any activity. The only positive comment I have about this tragic and disgusting type of theft is at least Uncle Sam does not hold the deceased or deceased relatives liable for any theft that might occur.