Coalition Forming To Take on Identity Theft of Older Adults

Identity theft is a growing problem affecting nearly ten million Americans annually. While older adults are not the exclusive targets of identity theft, they can be especially susceptible to victimization. Lifespan is the lead agency in a new Finger Lakes Identity Theft Coalition which is focusing on the victimization of older adults (age 60 or older). A regional network of professionals and other stakeholders is now making presentations to educate older adults and their caregivers about ID theft and to assist older adults who have been victimized. The target region for the project includes eight counties in western New York. (Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Wayne and Yates.)

Coalition members include aging service providers, elder abuse and adult protective staff, legal and criminal justice professionals, law enforcement units, and financial services institutions. The Coalition is  developing a network of providers in the region who can help older victims take appropriate legal action to recover assets, when possible, and to receive supportive services to restore a sense of safety and integrity.

Older adults have a number of strategies available to them to prevent becoming a victim of ID theft. They can also take steps to report ID theft and correct the situation if they find they have been victimized, such as immediately notifying credit card companies and banks, filing a police report and placing a “Temporary Fraud Alert” on their files with credit agencies.

Data breaches, such as the one recently announced by RG&E, often affect millions of customers and can be accidental or as a result of hackers.  Data breaches can compromise personal, financial and Social Security information. Older adults should recognize the possible impact of a data breach and take advantage of offers of credit monitoring. (NYSEG and RG&E have arranged for Experian to offer customers the option of a year of credit monitoring free of charge to help identify possible fraudulent activity.) Additionally, Lifespan, through the Finger Lakes ID Theft Coalition, is prepared to assist older adults who suspect that their personal and financial information is being used without their permission for fraudulent purposes.

Older persons who need assistance with ID theft issues should call Lifespan/Eldersource at 325-2800. Organizations interested in scheduling a presentation on ID theft or interested in learning more about the coalition can contact Paul Caccamise, Vice President for Program at Lifespan, 585-244-8400 x115, pcaccamise@lifespan-roch.org or Carlos Rodriguez, Esq., Coalition Chairperson, 585- 737-4365, c.rod5100@yahoo.com. More information is also available at www.identitytheftnetwork.org