Ask the Experts- February 2016

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

Thank you.

Lauren from Chicago

Dear Lauren,

You are absolutely right to be cautious. Just as credit card information can be stolen, your personal data about your medical diagnoses and prescription medications can also be stolen.

Here are a few things you might want to do:

• Don’t respond to phone calls or emails that request this type of information. These phone calls/emails are oftentimes scams looking to get your personal data. If you do get one, call your healthcare provider and/or your insurance company.

• When your medical providers ask for your social security number, suggest that they use your driver’s license as an alternate form of ID. Many times thieves are after gaining access to your social security number.

• Look over all your medical bills. If a charge doesn’t look familiar, call your health care provider or insurance company. Oftentimes, thieves will seek treatments using your personal information.

If you find you are a victim, call a credit bureau (like Trans Union 1-800-680-7289; Equifax 1-800-525-6285; or Experian 1-888-397-3742) and report this to the Federal Trade Commission (www.consumer.ftc.gov).

Thank you for writing to Red Hot Mamas. We hope this information will be useful to you..

RHM’s Experts