Medical identity theft: The crime that may kill you
Medical identity theft: The crime that may kill you
Identity theft in any form can be devastating. But, medical ID theft is the most damaging and dangerous of all.
Most of the 250,000 people who fell victim to medical identity theft in 2006 usually learned they were victims just like others; for most people it’s when the bills come rolling in and the debt collectors start calling that people find out someone else is using their identity. The big difference is who’s doing the billing, and what they’re billing for.
The cases are shocking. There’s the one where a woman was billed for having her foot amputated, for instance. Or the one where a man’s insurance company rejected his claim for medical bills associated with his appendectomy. That’s a surgery they’ll only pay for once.
Besides the financial toll—and more dangerous—are the medical risks that come with the crime. When someone else uses your identity to receive medical care, his or her information becomes part of your medical record. Receiving the wrong blood type can kill you. Being given a drug you’re allergic to can kill you. Being refused medical treatment altogether because your medical benefits have reached the cap can kill you, too.
There are all sorts of risks associated with medical ID theft. Among the risks are failing a pre-employment medical screening, or being denied health or life insurance because of pre-existing condition that, although you may be in fine health, have become part of your history.
Medical identity theft is just one of the reasons you need comprehensive identity theft protection. LifeLock provides the best there is. Learn more about all they do to protect you by visiting LifeLock.com. If you decide to enroll in the service 1.5 million other Americans trust, use the LifeLock promotional code Defense to get the very best price.
Identity theft in any form can be devastating. But, medical ID theft is the most damaging and dangerous of all.
Most of the 250,000 people who fell victim to medical identity theft in 2006 usually learned they were victims just like others; for most people it’s when the bills come rolling in and the debt collectors start calling that people find out someone else is using their identity. The big difference is who’s doing the billing, and what they’re billing for.
The cases are shocking. There’s the one where a woman was billed for having her foot amputated, for instance. Or the one where a man’s insurance company rejected his claim for medical bills associated with his appendectomy. That’s a surgery they’ll only pay for once.
Besides the financial toll—and more dangerous—are the medical risks that come with the crime. When someone else uses your identity to receive medical care, his or her information becomes part of your medical record. Receiving the wrong blood type can kill you. Being given a drug you’re allergic to can kill you. Being refused medical treatment altogether because your medical benefits have reached the cap can kill you, too.
There are all sorts of risks associated with medical ID theft. Among the risks are failing a pre-employment medical screening, or being denied health or life insurance because of pre-existing condition that, although you may be in fine health, have become part of your history.
Medical identity theft is just one of the reasons you need comprehensive identity theft protection. LifeLock provides the best there is. Learn more about all they do to protect you by visiting LifeLock.com. If you decide to enroll in the service 1.5 million other Americans trust, use the LifeLock promotional code Defense to get the very best price. Click Here to enroll now.
Tags: ID theft, identity theft, LifeLock, medical identity theft