Baby Boomers Are Prime Targets for Identity Thieves

By: Jed Jenson

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.

One of the first reason baby boomers should become members of LifeLock is because older boomers (ages 51-60) have not completely moved into the electronic age and, therefore, still use snail mail to pay bills and send correspondences. This leaves boomers, and their mailboxes, prime targets for identity theft as thieves can steal their credit card statements and retirement statements in order to change their address and take over their identity. LifeLock protects boomers from this form of identity theft by removing members' names from pre-approved credit card mailing lists and junk mail lists.

Another way LifeLock protects boomers, who haven't completely moved into the electronic age, is by pulling annual credit reports from all three credit bureaus and mailing them to their members. Because some boomers have never "surfed" the net, much less know that they can access their credit reports online; they do not keep a close watch on their credit activity. In addition to pulling credit reports, LifeLock places fraud alerts on member's credit files so that lenders must call the member for approval prior to issuing credit or loans. These measures ensure that boomers' credit remains safe and protected.

A third way LifeLock protects boomers from identity theft is through their eRecon and TrueAddress services. LifeLock's eRecon service monitors criminal websites for the selling or trading of social security numbers, credit card numbers, driver's license numbers, etc. LifeLock's TrueAddress service detects any changes to a member's address that may show-up in various national databases. If there is a discrepancy between a member's name and known address, the member is contacted for verification 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.

Lastly, LifeLock safeguards boomers from spending excessive amounts of time and money if their identity is stolen through a $1,000,000 full service guarantee. Although most boomers are at the point where they are receiving additional income, their income is barely enough to cover their cost of living. Through LifeLock's $1,000,000 guarantee, if a thief discovers a weakness in their system and uses it to steal your identity, LifeLock will secure attorneys, investigators, accountants, case managers, etc. to restore your good name and, if you lose money as a result of the theft, they will reimburse you the amount of money that was stolen.

There is no doubt that baby boomers are prime targets for identity theft. However, through LifeLock's Identity Theft Prevention services, boomers no longer need to worry about the security of their identity.

Article Source: http://www.retirementlivingarticledirectory.com

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

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