CITIES SERVED Agency, Amazonia, Amity, Avondale, Belton, Birmingham, Blue Springs, Bolckow, Buckner, Camden Point, Cameron, Clarksdale, Claycomo, Cleveland, Cosby, Crystal Lakes, De Kalb, Dearborn, Easton, Edgerton, Elmira, Excelsior Estates, Excelsior Springs, Farley, Faucett, Ferrelview, Fort Osage, Gladstone, Gower, Grain Valley, Grandview, Greenwood, Guilford, Helena, Hemple, Holt, Homestead Village, Houston Lake, Independence, Kansas City, Kansas City North, Kearney, King City, Lake Lotawana, Lake Tapawingo, Lake Waukomis, Lake Winnebago, Lathrop, Lawson, Lees Summit, Liberty, Martin City, Maysville, Mc Fall, McFall, North Kansas City, Oak Grove, Oakview, Orrick, Osborn, Paradise, Parkville, Pattonsburg, Peculiar, Platte City, Platte Woods, Plattsburg, Pleasant Valley, Randolph, Raymore, Raytown, Rea, Riverside, Rosendale, Rushville, Saint Joseph, Savannah, Sibley, Smithville, Stewartsville, Sugar Creek, Taos, Tracy, Trimble, Turney, Union Star, Unity Village, Village of Oakview, Weatherby, Weatherby Lake, West Line, Weston, Winthrop, Wood Heights

Zip Codes Served 64012, 64014, 64015, 64016, 64018, 64024, 64028, 64029, 64030, 64034, 64048, 64050, 64052, 64053, 64054, 64055, 64056, 64057, 64058, 64060, 64062, 64063, 64064, 64068, 64075, 64077, 64078, 64079, 64081, 64082, 64083, 64086, 64088, 64089, 64098, 64101, 64102, 64105, 64106, 64108, 64109, 64110, 64111, 64112, 64113, 64114, 64116, 64117, 64118, 64119, 64120, 64123, 64124, 64125, 64126, 64127, 64128, 64129, 64130, 64131, 64132, 64133, 64134, 64136, 64137, 64138, 64139, 64145, 64146, 64147, 64149, 64150, 64151, 64152, 64153, 64154, 64155, 64156, 64157, 64158, 64161, 64163, 64164, 64165, 64166, 64167, 64401, 64421, 64422, 64427, 64429, 64430, 64436, 64439, 64440, 64443, 64444, 64448, 64454, 64457, 64459, 64463, 64465, 64469, 64474, 64477, 64480, 64483, 64484, 64485, 64490, 64492, 64493, 64494, 64497, 64501, 64503, 64504, 64505, 64506, 64507, 64657, 64670, 64734, 66002, 66027, 66090, 66101, 66102, 66104, 66115

 © 2017 CarePatrol Franchise Systems. Terms & Conditions

Preventing Credit Fraud Against Seniors

By Jonathan Pike

Credit fraud and identify theft continues to climb year after year.  And unfortunately, seniors are more likely to be a target for these types of activities and lose billions a year to scammers.

Seniors Are Targeted

Why are seniors often the target?  Often, it’s related to a generational issue because seniors were brought up in a time where people were open and trusted one another especially people closest to them.  And sadly enough, a large percentage of fraud isn’t in fact from strangers but is committed by the seniors’ own family members, most often adult children, followed by grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and others.  Caregivers are also a big contributor because they’re close to the senior.

Types of Credit Related Fraud
Two types of credit related fraud that seniors are the victim of are referred to “credit application fraud” and “account take-over fraud”.  Credit application fraud is when someone uses a seniors’ personal information including their names, date of birth, and social security number to obtain new credit such as a credit card or some type of loan.  Account take-over fraud is when someone changes the address and phone numbers on an account in the seniors’ name and begins utilizes that credit yet in the seniors name.  Again, this is extremely common is the credit card world or with bank accounts where there is open-to-buy or credit line that they can utilize.   

Both type of credit related fraud usually end-up being defaulted on and then seniors begin receiving collection calls, have a judgement against them or even a claim can be made against an estate.  By all means, the implications can be extremely stressful to seniors not to mention the feeling of being a victim.

Control Your Credit Report
Many seniors can benefit from security freezes on their credit reports. This prevents third parties from accessing your credit information and results in a reduced risk of credit application fraud.  Usually when someone submits a tenant or credit application (loan or credit card), the creditor will request a copy of the applicant's credit report. If the credit report is blocked, then the creditor is unable to review the report, and must ultimately deny the application. Therefore, a security freeze is proactive method to prevent credit application fraud.

Setting Up a Security Freeze

The three main credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, all offer the ability to place a freeze on your credit bureau report. You must contact each bureau individually to set up the freeze. Setting up a security freeze with one is not sufficient, as creditors do not report to all three bureaus.  Each credit bureau permits you to set up a security freeze online, by phone or by mail. When you establish a security freeze, the credit bureau will send you a personal identification number (PIN).  The fee to place the freeze depends on where you live, your age and if you are an identity theft victim. In most states, if you are an identity theft victim, then the fee to initiate a security freeze is waived. In other states, if you are over the age of 65, the fee is waived or can range from $5-$10. ________________________________________________________________________________

This information is provided by CarePatrol of Kansas City, a senior housing placement agency that serves the Baltimore city and county areas. If you or your loved ones needs to find a new home, consider talking to a CarePatrol housing placement specialist. They will sit down with you, assess your needs and financial situation, and offer the best options they can find. They are also available for tours and guidance during your final search. You can contact a specialist at (816) 673-2507 or Tonyah@CarePatrol.com. Also find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CarePatrolKansasCity.