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A New Low in ID Theft: Targeting Military Families
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ShareMay 30, 2007 5:57 PM
There is a new and extremely cruel identity theft scam targeting military families, the American Red Cross warned today.
In this shocking case, a military spouse answered the phone and was told her husband had been injured in Iraq and med-evacuated to a hospital in Germany. The caller told the woman her husband's treatment could not proceed until further paperwork was received, which included verifying his social security number and date of birth. Fortunately, the woman became suspicious and did not provide the information.
In light of this new report, the Department of Defense said it will use a number of resources to warn military families of this new scam.
"We want our military families to know that information regarding the health and welfare of their loved ones will be provided to them by someone they know within the chain of command," said Leslye Arsht, deputy undersecretary of defense.
The Red Cross also said today they typically do not contact family members and urged them not to give out any personal information over the phone.
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
May 30, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (12)
Who ever the scammers are - YOU LOW LIFES!!!
Posted by: lakeaustinman | May 30, 2007 6:55:18 PM
Thieves ,crooks ,scam artists and all criminals in general know no boundaries and could care less for anyone outside of themselves.This crime is despicable because it is targeting the very families of those soldiers who are fighting to protect his disgusting a##!I say send them to Iraq or anywhere our soldiers are stationed and let them take care of these creeps. Maybe they will have 'second thoughts' about their very 'naughty behavior'!
Posted by: Debi | May 30, 2007 7:16:15 PM
Just when you think nothing could get lower . . .
Posted by: Susan | May 30, 2007 8:39:40 PM
These people are terrorist. When caught treat and prosecute them as such. My Son and his fellow soldiers have enough to worry about without this.
Posted by: Taldan | May 30, 2007 8:51:29 PM
We need mandatory minimums of life in prison with hard labor for any scum who steals a person's identity, not gentle hand slaps. We need to get through to people that this kind of scumbaggery is simply not acceptable. I mean it. Life.
Posted by: Sean | May 30, 2007 9:37:55 PM
As cruel as this scam is, most military dependents know what's up. These victims are those few who don't know procedure, or haven't done their homework as to what happens when their spouses/family members are wounded or killed. There is a world of support for dependents when their spouses are deployed, including various types of liaisons between the command and the dependents. There are briefings prior to deployment in which dependents are informed of what to do in the event of...
Posted by: Jazz | May 30, 2007 10:09:51 PM
Jazz...Point taken....however people can be tricked even when you think you know about scams. Con-artist are always coming up with new ones all time,this is their 'job' and they spend an unlimited amount of time coming out with new ones. It's especially disgusting when they prey on vulnerable people in any part of society whether it's widows of veteran, elder people, anyone can be a victim. Punishment for these despicable criminals should be harsh.
Posted by: Debi | May 30, 2007 10:28:29 PM
A lot of identity theft comes from international countries that actually support or have a mutual interest in this criminal activity. Nigeria and Russia are two prime examples. The stolen funds transfer to the host criminal and those funds are spent locally. Also, sensitive information obtained illegally can be forwarded to state government points-of-contacts for analysis and used against us (OBSEC). Most foreign countries could care less about the sanctity of our military members and their spouses and dependants.
Posted by: Thomas | May 31, 2007 12:44:10 AM
Thank GOD that woman didn't give out the information. And SHAME on the people perpetuating this scam.
Posted by: Lori | May 31, 2007 1:34:08 PM
Unfortunately, ID thieves will do almost anything to obtain the personal information they use to commit fraud. The Federal Trade Commission has worked with the Department of Defense and other partners to put together information for military personnel and their families about how to deter, detect, and defend against ID thieves. You can access it at ftc.gov/idtheft (click on "Military"). You also can order bulk copies of the FTC brochure for military families on avoiding ID theft at ftc.gov/bulkorder.
Posted by: Nat Wood | May 31, 2007 1:50:48 PM
I willlike to be gettingmthese news through my mail.
Posted by: Hezekia | Jun 1, 2007 10:15:59 AM
This is nothing new, lap tops have disapeared, with 26 million plus ( in 2002)military,and retired military, I received notice my identity from 1976 was comprimised. Thanks all to the care free, do little , or nothing to people that KILL other peoples lives!! Every one should feel much safer now that our government has turned our country into a state of confusion, and unaccountability. Scum
Posted by: JB | Jun 1, 2007 12:34:49 PM
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