Older Americans are one of the most vulnerable victim populations when it comes to identity theft.
Identity fraud ought to scandalize young and old alike. It comes as such a shock, such an invasion, and brings with it such loss, misery, and difficulty that simply to think about it brings you to a state of rage.
Imagine, then, when our most seasoned citizens, who after a lifetime of productive work and childrearing, settle into well-deserved retirement only to find themselves easy pickings for predators who seek work in the eldercare industry simply in order to get closer to their prey.
The older and frailer you get, the more important trust becomes. Elder Americans must believe they can enjoy their retirement in peace and security. Would any sane individual want his or her golden years tarnished by fraud?
Tarnished indeed became the golden years of the elderly victim of one California eldercare worker. The Journal of Auburn, California reports that a local woman “charged with a variety of felony counts, including identity theft from an elder, could be heading to trial.”
The accused, one Sherri Selena Shifflet, managed to compile quite a rap sheet over the course of her alleged criminal career. Among the crimes she stands accused of committing are “multiple counts of identity theft, one count of second-degree commercial burglary, two counts of forgery, one count of grand theft, two counts of embezzlement, fraud, identity theft from an elder and one count of receiving stolen property, all felonies,” the article reports.
That an alleged career criminal like Shifflet can put herself in the position to pilfer an elder’s identity should remind you that you should trust strangers only reluctantly.
Unfortunately, our elders, especially ones of advanced age or extreme infirmity often don’t have the luxury of vetting their caregivers, which is why it’s essential that, if you have a loved one in elder care, you seek the help of a reputable identity theft protection service.
By locking down your loved one’s identity, you eliminate a potential victim for predators posing in the sheep’s clothing of a professional caregiver. After all, wouldn’t you want that type of security at a time of your life when you’ll need it most?