In September 2003 the Federal Trade commission (FTC) released a survey stating that over the past ve years 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft, including 9.9 million people in the past year alone. An earlier FTC report indicated that 10% of identity victims are age 60 and older. Identity thieves use the information to open new accounts, misuse checking or savings accounts, rent housing, obtain medical care or employment, or to obtain government records such as tax returns. Some thieves even use stolen identities when being charged with crimes.

The FTC offers these tips to protect yourself and elderly relatives:

• Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or are sure you know whom you’re dealing with.
• Guard your mail and trash from theft. Deposit outgoing mail in post of ce collection boxes or at your local post of ce instead of in an unsecured mailbox. Remove mail from your mailbox promptly.
• Tear or shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications or offers, insurance forms, physician statements, check and bank statements, and expired charge cards.
• Before revealing any identifying information (for example, on an application), ask how it will be used and secured, and whether it will be shared with others.
• Keep your Social Security card in a secure place and give your SSN only when absolutely necessary.
• Limit the identi cation information and the number of credit and debit cards that you carry.
• Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place at work and at home.