Identity Theft

One of the easiest ways for your identity to be stolen is if you lose your Medicare card?

Reminder: Your Medicare number is tied directly to your social security number – something identity thieves just love. First thing you need to do is to keep your Medicare card in a safe place. It is recommended that you DO NOT carry your card with you. In the event you lose your wallet, your social security number is available for identity thief.

Solution: Make a copy your Medicare card and blackout the last 4 digits of the number and keep that copy with you. This validates you are covered by Medicare should you need any type of medical help. It is recommended you make several extra copies of your card and keep those copies in a safe place too. Now should you need to visit a doctor, you can just hand them the copy of your Medicare number. You don’t have to hand them your original card and forget to get it back. Also, you are not carrying your original card with you. Identity theft is on the rise and senior and elderly populations seem to be a prime target for the thieves.

Beware of the internet as another area for identity theft. When you visit a website never to give out important or personal information, your social security number, Medicare number or your bank account number.

No matter where you are – at your local grocery store or on the Internet, please protect yourself from identity theft.