How widespread is identity theft? It’s so bad that even the deceased aren’t safe. It’s called “ghosting,” and it may be the most heinous and macabre of all forms of identity theft.
Ghosting isn’t recorded as a separate form of ID theft, so there aren’t any exact counts of how many times it has occurred in the United States. However, there were 400,000 checking accounts opened for dead people in 2004, a sure sign that it’s a common practice.
In the United Kingdom, where the government does maintain and accurate count, reported incidences more than quadrupled between 2001 and 2004.
How LifeLock can help protect you now and in the hereafter
Protection from ghosting begins while you’re still living. LifeLock’s first line of attack is having a fraud alert placed on your credit file. If someone were to apply for credit using your identity, the prospective creditor would contact you (or your survivor) to confirm the applicant’s identity.
Next, your name is removed from junk mail and pre-approved credit card offers–the sort of information commonly used by identity thieves.
LifeLock will see that you receive your free annual credit report. Obtaining that report will allow you (or your survivors) to make sure no one is applying for credit using your identity.
TruAddress™ monitors millions of change of address submitals to make sure mail in your name isn’t be re-directed to another address.
And, because millions of stolen identities are bought, sold and traded on the Internet. eRecon™ monitors the Internet, checking continually for your name, account numbers, Social Security number and driver’s license number…any of your identifying information.
Enrolling in this award-winning identity theft protection protects you now. Enrolling now means when you die, your family won’t be faced with the financial losses of identity theft while they struggle with their grief. Visit LifeLock.com. See for yourself why almost 1.5 million Americans have already enrolled. Use the LifeLock promotional code Defense to save some money.
