• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • WHO WE ARE
    • About Our Firm
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
    • News and Events
  • Areas We Serve
    • Essex County, MA
      • Andover
      • Beverly
      • North Andover
    • Hillsborough County, NH
      • Manchester
      • Nashua
    • Middlesex County, MA
      • Concord
      • Lexington
      • Wakefield
      • Winchester
      • Woburn
    • Rockingham County, NH
      • Exeter
      • Londonderry
      • Salem
  • Services
    • Asset & Business Planning
    • Elder Law & Medicaid Services
    • Estate And Gift Tax Figures
    • Family-Owned Businesses & Farms
    • Legacy Planning Services
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Loss Of A Loved One
    • Pet Planning
    • Power Of Attorney
    • Probate and Trust Administration
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Young Families
  • Elder Law
    • Coping with Alzheimer’s
    • Hospice Care
    • Medicaid Planning
    • Nursing Home Planning
  • Resources
    • Elder Law
      • Elder Law & Medicaid Definitions
      • Elder law reports
      • Elder Law Resources
        • Elder Law Resources – Londonderry, New Hampshire
        • Elder Law Resources North Andover, Massachusetts
        • Nashua, New Hampshire Elder Law Resources
        • Woburn, MA Elder Law Resources
    • Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning Articles
      • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
      • Estate Planning Checkup
      • Estate Planning Definitions
      • Estate Planning Reports
        • Advanced Estate Planning
        • Basic Estate Planning
        • Estate Planning for Niches
        • Trust Administration
      • Incapacity Planning Definitions
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Top 10 Estate and Legacy Planning Techniques
    • Free Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Asset Protection Planning
      • Business Planning
      • Charitable Gifting
      • Estate Planning
      • Elder Law
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Incapacity Planning
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid Planning
      • Trust Administration & Probate
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Medicaid Calculator
    • Newsletters
    • Presentations
    • Probate and Trust Administration
      • Bereavement Resources
      • How to Know if You Need Extra Help With Your Grieving
      • Loss Of A Loved One
      • Probate Resources
        • Nashua, New Hampshire Probate Resources
        • Probate Resources – Londonderry, New Hampshire
        • Probate Resources – North Andover, MA
        • Probate Resources – Wakefield, Massachusetts
        • Woburn, MA Probate Resources
      • The Mourner’s Bill of Rights
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Trust
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Will
      • Trust Administration & Probate Definitions
    • Published Books
  • Seminars
    • Live Seminars
    • Online Seminars
  • Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us

DeBruyckere Law Offices, PC

Serving Southern New Hampshire & Essex Country, Massachussetts

Call us today(603) 894-4141

(978) 969-0331

Online Seminars
Attend Free Seminar
Home » Elder Law » A New Problem for Seniors: Data Breaches and ID Theft

A New Problem for Seniors: Data Breaches and ID Theft

November 8, 2013Elder Law, Estate Planning

data breaches and id theft

Did you know that more than 600 million personal information records have been compromised due to data breaches, in more than 3,000 breaches, in less than ten years? It’s true and it’s a growing problem in the U.S. It stands to reason that a large portion of those 600 million records belong to senior citizens. It’s proving to be problematic and in ways you may not think. Elder law attorneys see the long term repercussions first hand.

By now, most of us have heard of the many denial of service attacks – or DDoS attacks – that have hit all of the major U.S. banks in recent months. Stores, government offices and credit card companies have all been targeted – and they’re all a gold mine for thieves looking for personal information – even if it’s you’re 90 year old mother.

The Costs of Data Breaches and ID Theft

In fact, an extraordinary cyber ring was uncovered this past May that allowed just eight people to steal more than $45 million from victims. Along with that, there was more than $2 million was stolen from ATMs scattered around New York.

Did we mention those thieves were able to accomplish this in just nine hours? Couple that with a whopping $4 million stolen in an even faster timeframe in other countries and it becomes clear none of us stand a chance. It should be noted the government said then – and continues to say today – that this is all the work of an international campaign.

But it’s also for these reasons why law and security enforcement agencies are on a mission to combat these types of crimes. Cyber hacks have become a $110 billion industry that spans the globe.

As elder law attorneys, we know that the odds are extremely high that the records of senior citizens have been exposed. In fact, we’ve seen first-hand the outcome of these thieves who do target seniors. They’re already on tight budgets and even the smallest thefts can have serious consequences. As a result, we feel it’s our responsibility to keep our clients aware of the potential of identity theft, credit card charges and other fraudulent efforts. For years, we’ve encouraged clients to be a proactive player when it comes to their estate planning efforts. What none of us could have anticipated was that we would also be warning clients that their financial security could be at stake for reasons they have nothing to do with.

Remain Vigilant for Misuse of Personal Data

Whether you’re a senior citizen or a loved one who’s concerned about the safety of your mom, dad or other senior, there are a few things you can do to remain proactive.

This is perhaps the one single most important thing any of us can do to remain proactive: Closely examine your bank statement and your credit card statements every month. You’re looking for charges or withdrawals that don’t “sit right”. If there’s anything remotely suspicious, contact your bank or credit card network as soon as possible.

Credit Reports for Clues

Also, and this is another important and easy to cover rule (though often overlooked): request a copy of your loved one’s credit report each year. New laws state that each of us is entitled to a complimentary credit report every year.

Take advantage of it. Note: if you’re requesting the report on behalf of a loved one, you’ll need to have the proper legal documentation – perhaps a guardianship or power of attorney, depending on where you’re located.

If your senior’s identity has been compromised, a credit freeze might be in order and can prevent further damage while the problems are sorted out.

Finally, be sure to speak with your elder law attorney who can provide specialized guidance for estate planning
purposes.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Daniel DeBruyckere
Daniel DeBruyckere
Attorney Daniel A. DeBruyckere has been practicing law in New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1998, and has helped hundreds of clients with their estate planning and elder care issues. He is very well respected in the area of estate planning, probate, trust administration, elder law issues, and business planning.
Daniel DeBruyckere
Latest posts by Daniel DeBruyckere (see all)
  • Do I Need an Attorney to Administer a Trust? - January 26, 2023
  • How Using a Trust Can Protect a Valuable Inheritance - January 24, 2023
  • What Seniors Need to Know to Protect Assets - January 19, 2023

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Beverly elder law attorney
What You Need to Know about Osteoporosis
Elder abuse
When a Family Member Commits Elder Abuse
elder care
Planning for Elder Care
North Andover elder law attorneys
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
financial abuse
How to Protect an Older Loved One from Financial Abuse
Beverly elder law attorneys
When Is Guardianship the Best Solution?

Download our free Estate Planning Worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube
  • Instagram

Blog Subscribe

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Testimonials

DeBruyckere Law Offices, PC footer

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
footer-logo

© 2023 DeBruyckere Law Offices
All Right Reseved.

Attorney Advertisement

© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.