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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Fraudsters Use Social Security Numbers of Dead People to Get Credit

We know all about ID theft and how to protect ourselves, but you think the threat ends when you pass away.  However, a new study says deceased Americans are at risk of having their personal information stolen and used to try and get credit.

A California company called ID Analytics compared the names of people used in millions of credit applications to people listed in the federal government's Social Security Death Master File.  They found ID theft of the dead in big numbers when it comes to attempts to get credit.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's not like there going to leave and not pay the bill.

Anonymous said...

Joe I was researching some of the websites for ancestors of mine. I was shocked when I found one site that actually had my deceased parents social security numbers. They also had numerous family members who were deceased with their social security numbers as well. I really don't think that any social security numbers should be posted anywhere. Could you imagine how awful it would be to see someone use a family members social security numbers to get credit?? It's really sad. Beth

Anonymous said...

when a person dies , the funeral home is responsible for notifing
the social security admin..
having said that ole Bennie Smith and others are in deep do-do.

Anonymous said...

Hell, you can even become President Of the United States Of America with one!!

Anonymous said...

Not only is he one of them 9:34 but they voted him in office in 2008!