Prime Targets for Identity Thieves

Did you know that the first "baby boomer" filed for Social Security benefits in October 2007? This individual is the first of almost 80 million baby boomers who are expected to apply for such benefits over the next two decades and is, very possibly, one of the first baby boomers who may fall prey to identity theft. Because boomers are more likely to draw two incomes, i.e. retirement and social security benefits, thieves are more likely to target their financial resources than that of others. In addition to the extra income, boomers are being targeted by identity thieves because of their tendencies to avoid the internet, to rely on paper checks and paper mail, and to fall victim to pre-texting scams. Because of this, it is more important than ever for baby boomers, who, in the prime of their lives, are prime targets for identity theft, to use LifeLock's Identity Theft Protection Services.

Perhaps one of the top reasons baby boomers are being targeted by identity thieves is because older boomers (ages 51-60) have not completely moved into the electronic age and still use pen and paper to pay bills and send correspondences. This type of practice leaves baby boomers, and their mailboxes, prime targets for identity thieves. LifeLock's identity theft protection services seek to prevent boomers from becoming prime targets by removing members' names from pre-approved credit card mailing lists as well as junk mail lists.

The second way LifeLock protects boomers, and saves them time and energy, is by pulling annual credit reports from all three credit bureaus and mailing them to their members. Because some boomers have never used the internet and are not aware of how to access their credit reports online; they do not keep as close a watch on their credit activity as younger adults do. LifeLock gives boomers the ability to check their credit report for discrepancies in order to prevent identity theft from occurring. In addition to pulling credit reports, LifeLock also places fraud alerts on member's credit files so that lenders must call the member for approval prior to issuing credit or loans.

Another way LifeLock protects boomers from identity theft is through their eRecon and TrueAddress services. Through LifeLock's eRecon service, criminal websites are monitored for the selling or trading of social security numbers, credit card numbers, driver's license numbers, etc. In addition to monitoring criminal websites, LifeLock's TrueAddress service monitors national databases for changes to a members' address and, if there is an address change, the member is notified of the change.

A fourth way LifeLock works to protect the identity of baby boomers is through their WalletLock service. Boomers are more at risk of having their identities stolen through the loss or theft of a wallet. Because boomers tend to keep their personal documents close, in case of emergencies, they are more likely to have multiple sources of personal identification in their wallet. If a member's wallet is lost or stolen, LifeLock's WalletLock service assigns members a WalletLock specialist who helps in contacting each credit card company, banking institution, and any state and federal agencies who issue driver's licenses, etc. to cancel the accounts and begin the process of reinstating missing documents.

The fifth way LifeLock safeguards boomers from worry about identity theft is by easing their concerns about spending excessive amounts of time and money if their identity is stolen by offering a $1,000,000 full service guarantee. Although most boomers are receiving additional income, their income is barely enough to cover their cost of living expenses. Through LifeLock's $1,000,000 guarantee, LifeLock will hire attorneys, investigators, accountants, case managers, etc. to restore a member's good name and, if any money is lost as a result of the theft, they will reimburse the member the amount of money lost.

With LifeLock's Identity Theft Protection Services, boomers no longer need to worry about the security of their identity. In fact, the only security baby boomers may need to worry about is their Social Security benefits, which come from a system that is about to be tapped into by nearly 80 million baby boomers.

Article by: JedJenson | Total views: 68 | Word Count: 690

About the Author

Jed Jenson teaches people about identity theft protection in Western Washington and British Columbia. To get identity theft protection recommendations, read on.