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Local Seniors' IDs Put at Risk

Stolen computer had information on 600 McDowell seniors.

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By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: November 13, 2008

Updated: 11/14/2008 05:48 pm

As many as 600 McDowell senior citizens may have had their identity information compromised, according to Senior Center Director Weyland Prebor.
He told The McDowell News that a laptop computer had been stolen from an employee of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) during a training conference in Atlanta last month. He said the information of North Carolinians who receive services from DAAS was stored on that computer and has potentially been compromised.
Potentially compromised information, in this instance, means information that may be sufficient for identity thieves to use to commit fraud.
"600-plus people in our area had personal information stored on this computer," said Prebor. "Some had their full 9-digit Social Security numbers, but most had only the last four digits," which, he said, was of little use to an identity thief.
The information was password protected, he added, meaning it would be difficult, but not impossible, for the computer thief to access.
Information can be used in a variety of criminal acts. With enough, an identity thief can attempt to gain access to the victim's bank accounts or apply for credit in the victim's name.
With partial information, thieves can use the data they have to contact the victim, claiming to be a representative of their bank or a debt collector. They attempt to deceive the victim into divulging further information which can be used fraudulently.
Prebor said there have been no known instances of identity theft stemming from the incident, and that affected seniors and their families should watch their credit carefully.
On Nov. 5, DAAS sent letters to folks whose information has been compromised, advising them of the situation and recommending they take steps to protect themselves, including placing a "fraud alert" on their credit reports and by obtaining their credit reports and reviewing them carefully.
Linda Mystic, service coordinator at Blue Ridge Terrace Apartments, said she and staff were aware of the situation and were trying to help anyway they can.
"So far I've had about 10 or 15 residents come to me with the letters," she said. "Since our residents are low-income, I would assume that any of our residents who receive DAAS services have been sent these letters.
"Anytime an elderly person gets this kind of news," she added, "it's scary for them."
She said she was assisting residents who wanted her help with filing the fraud alerts. She said she routinely helps residents review their credit reports and scan them for unusual activity.
"It's not that unusual," added Senior Center Manager Judy Lail. She said they had found fraud from the first quarter of this year affecting a Blue Ridge resident. In that instance, the resident's credit report showed they were earning an income in New York.
Mystic said that many of the residents handle their own financial affairs or have family who do it for them. "I hope they will watch for this," she said, "keep an eye out for that letter and follow through on it."
Prebor said the Senior Center was ready to assist folks as well.
"Given the situation, it's gone smoothly," he said. "We've been able to assist a lot of people already." He said anyone needing assistance or information could call him at 652-8953.
N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper said identity theft is a growing problem.
"Identity theft is the fastest growing scam in the U.S." he said, "and has been the leading consumer complaint category of the Federal Trade Commission for the past several years. Identity thieves target seniors heavily, because many seniors have substantial savings, little debt, or have real estate holdings that are no longer subject to a mortgage."
DHHS has a hotline folks can call for assistance. The DHHS Care-Line Information and Referral Service is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week at 800-662-7030. The hearing-impaired can call 877-452-2514.
Fraud alerts can be filed with all three credit reporting agencies by calling TransUnion at 800-680-7289. According to Prebor, TransUnion will take the information down and share it with the other two reporting agencies, Equifax and Experian. Those two companies have an entirely automated system and will not have a representative available to assist over the phone.
Once the fraud alert has been filed, a person can obtain and review a credit report from each of the reporting agencies by calling Annual Credit Report at 877-322-8228.
All of this can be done online, using the links at the top of this story.