Elderly Targeted for Fraud

A recent article in the local newspaper heightened my understanding that as the Baby Boom generation enters their retirement years, it's becoming more evident of fraudulent activity.  First of all, shame on the person taking advantage of an elderly person who has lived their life and is now dependant upon people for care as well as health matters.  These thieves are crafty in their tactics of intimidating the elderly whereby faking a call from the Social Security office or IRS.  One family received phone calls from a nurse at the nursing home where a relative was under their care....needless to say, this person was fired and no doubt served some jail time. Whatever the reason for the contact, it is important to be vigilent.  For some elderly, they screen their calls through the answering machine.  For others, they demand a letter in writing.  For many, they may have e-mail but are not likely to use it much.  One elderly person's e-mail address was stolen and used fraudulently for moneymaking purposes.  Luckily the telecommunicaitons company addressed the situation before it got out of hand.  In this modern era of smartphones, electronic items and texting, it is important to be kind to the elderly, facilitate the details when it comes to financial matters, and to look out for their financial well-being as well as overall well-being.

Fraud Alert called PHISHING

Article below  published on Wives of Faith web site page

The latest phishing e-mails are coming from Anderson at almedicgroup.com.  Please see interesting link regarding a false Amazon.com claim. 

Phishing occurs – so how do we deal with it?

By Stephanie Arredondo, Board Treasurer

Imagine an insurance agent’s phone call to you pertaining to an online insurance inquiry that you nor your spouse never made. It’s happening more and more with the ease of access to basic information. This is the beginning stage of identity theft and is called phishing.

If you read in Ephesians 6:10-18 about The Armor of God, it’s impossible to not realize the spiritual warfare we endure when it comes to marriage and money.

The enemy loves to work through things and people. In our modern era of being a military wife, we deal with handling the household finances especially when our spouse deploys. We work on budgets. We shop for groceries and clothes. We save for our retirement. We aspire to send our children to college. We pay for our basic needs all while our husband is serving our country. Then, a phone call changes your world with the realization that your identity or your spouse’s identity has been stolen. You are lost about what to do. In the mail is a past due notice bill for an account that you and your spouse never opened. This can open up a whole new experience for the service member.
Identity theft is much more prevalent than in years past. Phishing is easily done with minimal information.

For military members, the Federal Trade Commission has dedicated a section of its web site page to protect active duty service members, their spouses and family: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt02.shtm
Military One Source offers extensive financial material online, but it is best to call them for an appointment with a financial counselor at 1-800-342-9647. http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/MilitaryOneSourceFinancialServices.aspx
Here you will find valuable information about how to proceed.


Below are some pointers for military marriages to consider when it comes to your and your spouse’s finances.

• Do check both of your credit reports. This is easily done through the three credit reporting agencies (and yes, I would check all three as it is free). If there are any false statements on your report, you and/or your spouse must address these immediately by submitting it in writing and sending it certified/return receipt. File an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission as well as with other relevant authorities.
• Pray about this situation so that you and your spouse may overcome its trials. For some, identity theft can hinder your future financial plans in ways you never anticipated. For some whose stolen identity is so severe, it’s taken five years, $15,000+ in legal fees and no resolution to this warfare. It is during this financial time of hardship that the power of prayer is one of the last weapons of armor that can aid you both in your resolution of this situation.
• To protect your spouse and yourself, it is wise to not disclose anyone’s social security card, military id, nor any financial accounts or credit card information unless it is to a known and reputable source.
• All passwords and personal information should be protected.
• Do not answer any online solicitations via e-mail nor provide personal information to these pop-up ads.
• All mail should be collected the day it is delivered or have your mail stopped by filling out a yellow form at the US Postal service.
• There is a way to post an active duty alert on your spouse’s credit report, and it is good for up to one year. This is important to do when your spouse is on deployment. The credit card companies like USAA do monitor unusual activity for your credit card, so if you travel to another part of the country or internationally, it is important to check with them about your foreseen financial spending with that credit card.
• Shred all unwanted credit card solicitations or anything with your names so that this will prevent dumpster diving.
• Finally, when you are out in public, please watch your wallet, passport, and other identification so that it is not stolen the old-fashioned way.

As in Proverbs 31:27, “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness” gives us a call to take up our armor and allow God to flow through us so that we may defend ourselves from financial challenges such as phishing that all marriages want to avoid.