Friday, August 5, 2011
Information you must never list in an obituary
This tip comes from The Kim Komando Show. Kim points out that deaths are a big temptation for identity thieves. “It's simple for them to grab the deceased's information,” she says. “They can often make lots of fraudulent transactions before anyone notices.”
True, funeral homes are supposed to notify the Social Security Administration but thieves often act before the SSA gets the information. Remember, a key bit of information they seek is the date of birth. Therefore, in an obituary, either do not give the month and day of birth, or else list a false date.
Burglars, too, watch the obituaries, searching for addresses in order plan a robbery when relatives are at the funeral. Do not, therefore, list exact addresses for the survivors. Either that, or arrange for a house sitter during the funeral.
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Wow... some people are really evil.
ReplyDeleteActually, my family has stopped submitting obituaries completely. When my dad's obit was printed, the local banks immediately locked his accounts. Since then, we've simply called the people who would be interested.
ReplyDeleteIn some states safe deposit boxes, are sealed to others who would have had access, when the box holder dies.
ReplyDeleteA way to get around this is to have an entity (corp, LLC etc.) rent the box.
A good identity thieft has up to 6 days after your body is delivered to a morgue or funeral home to do his work before you appear on the national death registry.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a regular doctors appointment be careful with that, someone got broken into around here because they were routinely going to the doctors at x time on Y day. And, the cops around here even say that they let burglars off for the first offense.
ReplyDeleteThat is crazy! Taking advantage of mourners like that is above criminal. I hope someone sets up a sting operation.
ReplyDelete