AARP helps seniors avoid identity theft

By PORTSIA SMITH

Date published: 11/4/2004

FREDERICKSBURG resident Dorothy Thompson got a surprise when she went to her doctor's office for her regular appointment a few weeks ago.

When she got there, she discovered her records had been given to someone else with the same name.

Thompson, 74, shared her story at Fredericksburg's AARP chapter meeting about identity theft on Tuesday.

It was an innocent mix-up, but the situation had scared Thompson, who at first thought she might have been a victim of identity theft.

"It did agitate me," Thompson said. "You have to watch yourself in every kind of way."

Tom Moncure, a Stafford native and special counsel to the commonwealth's attorney general, said seniors are the most vulnerable victims of identity theft.

He gave seniors tips on how to protect themselves at the AARP's local monthly meeting held at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. About 60 seniors attended.

AARP, the nation's largest advocacy group for senior citizens, provides many resources on consumer protection.

"Identity theft is a national crisis," Moncure said. "And the best remedy is to watch how much you're spending and where you're spending it at."

Virginia ranks 19th-highest in terms of identity-theft victims, according to a 2003 study by the Federal Trade Commission. Alexandria was the top city in Virginia, with 366 reported victims.

The study did not supply figures for Fredericksburg.

Arizona, which is a popular spot for retirement communities, had the most victims.

Moncure also said seniors are targets because most aren't too knowledgeable about computers or the Internet.

"The ease of which identities can be obtained is right on the Internet," he said. "And if seniors don't know how to use it, it can be dangerous."

The popularity of online shopping makes it much easier for identity thieves to have packages sent to them and the bill sent to the victim.

Local AARP chapter president Richard Geary said someone had once called his home to verify an order, and asked for the last four digits of his credit card number. Knowing he didn't order anything, he just hung up.

Some common identity-theft schemes seniors should watch out for include foreign lotteries or pigeon drops, where a person says they will share a large amount of money--typically from a lawyer or banker--if given a down payment to secure it.

Date published: 11/4/2004