Identity Theft Protection and Prevention for Tennessee Seniors.
Everyone deserves peace of mind, knowing their identity is secure at every stage of life. Whether you’re a senior, an adult, or a parent concerned about your child’s online safety, our identity theft resource page offers essential information and practical tips to help protect against and recover from identity theft and scams on the elderly.
Explore these complimentary identity theft resources to help prevent and recover from financial scams and a stolen identity.
HOW TO PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT
Best practices to help prevent identity theft and safeguard your personal information before you’re a victim.
YOUR IDENTITY IS STOLEN… WHAT NOW?
Whether you’re identity has been stolen or is at risk of identity theft, we want you to know the proper next steps to take.
Facts: Identity Theft Scammers Targeting Seniors in Tennessee.
Prevalence of Identity Theft Among Seniors:
In 2023, Tennessee reported over 12,700 instances of identity theft. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to these crimes, as they may not be as familiar with the latest technology or may not monitor their accounts as closely (Tennessee State Government – TN.gov) (Tennessee State Government – TN.gov).
Financial Impact Scammers have on Seniors:
Scammers and identity thieves cheated Tennesseans out of a reported $133.6 million in 2023. Seniors often suffer greater financial losses due to their typically larger savings and retirement accounts, making them prime targets for fraud (Tennessee State Government – TN.gov).
Types of Scams Targeting TN Seniors.
- Tech Support Scams: Scammers impersonate tech support representatives to gain access to personal information. This was one of the most reported types of elder fraud in the state.
- Phone Scams: Seniors receive calls from fraudsters pretending to be family members or officials, aiming to extract personal information or money.
- Medical Identity Theft: Fraudsters use stolen personal information to bill seniors for medical services they did not receive.
- Investment Scams: These scams lure seniors into fraudulent investment opportunities, leading to significant financial losses (Tennessee State Government – TN.gov) (Tennessee State Government – TN.gov).
By staying informed about these common scams and implementing these protective measures, seniors in Tennessee can better safeguard themselves against identity theft.
HOW TO AVOID CHILD IDENTITY THEFT
Child identity theft can go undetected for years, or until the child goes to apply for a credit card, apartment, or student loans.
HOW TO CARE FOR AGING PARENTS
Valuable insights and practical advice on effectively managing the emotional, financial, and healthcare needs of aging parents.
TOP SCAMS TARGETING RETIREES
The top scams targeting retirees and how to protect yourself and your loved ones. This video covers common fraud tactics and essential tips for staying safe.
6 THINGS TO DO IF YOUR IDENTITY IS STOLEN
If you’re a victim of identity theft, you may feel lost or worried sick. Here’s what to do immediately. Secure your identity with these six essential steps.
Preventative Measures for Seniors:
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance recommends several protective steps for seniors:
- Shred Documents: Shred all paperwork containing personal information to prevent identity thieves from obtaining sensitive data. See our annual shred day event here.
- Monitor Accounts: Regularly check bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
- Credit Freezes: Use a credit freeze to restrict access to credit reports, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts.
- Direct Deposits: Use direct deposit for benefit checks to prevent theft.
- Trusted Contacts: Establish trusted contacts for financial accounts to add an additional layer of security. This helps financial firms verify unusual activity or potential fraud (Tennessee State Government – TN.gov) (Tennessee State Government – TN.gov).
Online Fraud
Seniors in Tennessee are increasingly targeted by online fraud schemes, including phishing scams and fake emails that appear to be from legitimate companies or government agencies. These scams often involve tricking seniors into providing personal information or clicking on malicious links, which can lead to identity theft and financial losses (Tennessee State Government – TN.gov) (Tennessee State Government – TN.gov).
In 2022, Americans aged 60 and up reported over $240 million in losses to romance scams. These scams often involve fake profiles on dating sites or social media, where scammers build trust before asking for money. Additionally, cryptocurrency scams saw a significant rise, with seniors losing more than $1 billion in 2022 through fraudulent investment opportunities (ConsumerAffairs) (Consumer Advice).
HIDDEN FEES THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY DOESN’T WANT YOU TO CATCH
Don’t let hidden fees derail your financial goals – empower yourself with the knowledge to take control of your finances!
5 EASY WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR CREDIT SCORE
Valuable insights and practical advice on effectively managing the emotional, financial, and healthcare needs of aging parents.
JOIN US FOR A FREE RETIREMENT DINNER SEMINAR
Is your retirement income structured to minimize taxes effectively?
This might be hard to believe, but many hard-working Americans just like you could be paying even more taxes than they need to in retirement. You will be taxed on your Social Security income, your IRA, 401k, and any other deferred retirement accounts. With the threat of massive tax increases just around the corner, your nest egg could be in trouble—unless you take advantage of defensive tax-saving strategies now.
Your FREE Retirement Social Security Analysis also includes a FREE Tax-Reduction Analysis!
Free online resources to aid you in taking steps to prepare, prevent, or recover from identity theft:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
-
- IdentityTheft.gov: The FTC’s comprehensive resource for identity theft prevention, reporting, and recovery.
- FTC Consumer Information: Offers tips and advice on protecting personal information and privacy.
- ReportFraud.FTC.gov: Report fraud here. Filing a report will not resolve your individual report, but it uses reports to investigate and bring cases against fraud, scams, and bad business practices.
-
- Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC): Provides a wealth of information on preventing and responding to identity theft, including a free assistance hotline.
- National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) | StaySafeOnline.org: Offers advice and resources to protect your personal information online.
- US Department of Justice: Provides information on identity theft and fraud, including prevention tips and steps to take if you’re a victim.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Offers identity theft resources and guidance on protecting your identity and recovering from identity theft.
- Social Security Administration (SSA): Provides tips on safeguarding your Social Security number.
- AARP Fraud Watch Network: Offers resources geared to protect seniors from identity theft and fraud.
- Better Business Bureau BBB Scam Tracker: A tool to report and learn about scams in your area, including identity theft.
- OnGuardOnline.gov: Managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this site provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you guard against internet fraud, secure your computers, and protect your privacy.
- The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) provides resources for parents and guardians on protecting children from identity theft, including educational materials and steps to report and recover from identity theft.
- The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, allows you to report identity theft, including child identity theft, and offers resources on how to handle it.
- National Council on Aging (NCOA): Offers information and resources to help seniors protect their identity and what to do if they fall victim to identity theft.
- Eldercare Locator: A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that connects seniors to services and resources in their community, including support for identity theft victims.
- Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): These agencies offer various support services for seniors, including assistance with identity theft and fraud.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): A Safe Online Surfing program to educate children about safe online behavior, which can help in preventing identity theft.
Now is the time to maximize your hard-earned Social Security benefts by implementing a written retirement income plan. We’ll show you how with our FREE Retirement Social Security Analysis.
If you’ve saved more than $250,000 for retirement, don’t wait any longer to schedule your FREE Retirement Social Security Analysis.
YOUR RETIREMENT SOCIAL SECURITY ANALYSIS INCLUDES:
〉FINANCIAL PLAN CHECKUP: A comprehensive analysis of your current retirement plan and portfolio.
〉FEE REPORT: A detailed list of all the fees you currently pay, so we can uncover any potential hidden savings.
〉RISK ANALYSIS: Your current yield, risk, and what that means for you in a potential market shift.
〉TAX ANALYSIS: An overview of your current tax plan and the benefits of implementing a forward-looking tax strategy.
〉INCOME PLAN ASSESSMENT: An overview of the income gaps you may have in your current income plan.
〉PORTFOLIO STRESS TEST: Assessment of your portfolio against different economic scenarios.
〉SOCIAL SECURITY ANALYSIS: An overview of how to maximize your social security benefits.
Keep yourself well-informed on current retirement topics with our RetirementTalk YouTube show.
Will Social Security Last?
Changes in legislation, economic conditions, and government decisions can impact the outlook for Social Security. While these concerns exist, Social Security remains a critical safety net for many Americans, and the government is likely to take measures to address its long-term financial challenges. Staying informed about potential changes and planning for retirement with a diversified approach to income sources can help individuals navigate these uncertainties.
We aim to empower you with the necessary financial tools and knowledge to confidently navigate your path forward to your retirement goals.
FULL-SERVICE WEALTH PLANNING
Manage your wealth, healthcare, estate, and taxes all in one place.
WEALTH
Create an income plan and learn how to build your complete “financial house.”
ESTATE
Learn how your estate plan should work together with your retirement plan.
TAX
Understand the most tax-efficient strategies for your retirement.
HEALTHCARE
Get clear guidance through the complicated process of selecting a plan to meet your needs.
For non-retirement-related Social Security questions, please visit the Social Security Administration.