Beware of medical identity theft

COEUR d'ALENE - Don't just throw them in a folder.

Take a good look at those explanation of benefits statements sent out by health insurers after you've received treatment.

"Medical identity theft is a big thing now," said Lonny Tutko, a consumer specialist with the state attorney general's office.

Tutko, speaking Wednesday to about 60 people at the Lake City Center in Coeur d'Alene, said scam artists are now stealing Social Security numbers and other personal information and using it to access health care using the victim's health insurance and wreaking havoc on the individual's medical records.

In addition to sharing some new ruses identity thieves are using, Tutko provided some tips on how to minimize the chances of becoming a victim.

"Criminals don't go for the ones that are really secure," Tutko said. "They go for the ones who leave the back door open."

* Don't carry your Social Security card with you.

"Keep it locked up at home," Tutko said.

There will be instances when a request for a Social Security number is necessary and appropriate. The attorney general's office advises individuals to always ask why the person requesting the information needs it; how the Social Security number will be used; how the information will be protected from being stolen; and the consequences of not providing a Social Security number.

* Protect your mail.

Tutko suggests opting out of receiving "pre-approved" credit card offers by mail, and cautions against just tossing them in the trash. He said he carries the offers he receives, and other junk mail, from the mailbox to his garage, where he has a shredder. Most of the offers include personal information, and some come with checks that can be stolen, he said.

* Monitor your accounts.

Take advantage of the free credit reports the three major reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and Trans Union - are required to provide you with once a year, Tutko said.

The annual free reports are available by phone, (877) 322-8228; online, www. annualcreditreport.com; or by mail. The Annual Credit Report Request Form is available online, www.ftc.gov/credit. It can be printed and mailed to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Check bank and credit card statements regularly and frequently also. Contact the bank immediately if there are suspicious transactions.

"There are limits to how long you have to dispute things," Tutko said.

* Hang up on suspicious callers.

"If you don't talk to them, they can't make you a victim," Tutko said.

A new scam making the rounds preys on those who aren't working, he said.

The con artist will offer to help the individual start an Internet business, providing a way to make money from home without doing much work.

"The bottom line is, they empty out your credit card account," he said.

The old lottery scam has taken on a new form.

Potential victims used to be told they needed to pay a fee or taxes before they could collect their winnings, and they were usually asked to wire the funds.

Now that money-wiring service vendors like Western Union have trained their employees to watch for these irregularities, the thieves have changed the game.

The perpetrators are now telling victims they don't need to send any cash. Victims are being told instead that they should purchase prepaid money cards, like the Green Dot MoneyPak card sold by many retailers, and be ready to send it in upon receipt of the prize. The victim is told to notify the con artist of the prepaid card's authorization code, so the purchase of the card can be "verified."

Once the perpetrator has the code, he or she is able to collect any and all money loaded on to the card. The funds are untraceable and cannot be retrieved.

"You didn't really win the lottery if you have to pay for it," Tutko said.

The sweepstakes scam doesn't end with the original scam. It often keeps on going with the criminal calling and pretending to be someone else, including the FBI, the IRS and even Homeland Security.

The victim is told there is a secret investigation going on, and that the victim is in trouble for participating in an illegal lottery and money laundering. The perpetrator will scare the victim into providing additional personal information so additional money can be stolen.

Information about consumer issues and identity theft is available through the attorney general's office in Boise, (800) 432-3545 or online, www.ag.idaho.gov