The World Privacy Forum is a useful source of research that delves into issues and examples of non-financially related identity fraud, namely medical identity theft. Their recent report (in PDF format) estimates this issue affected up to 250,000 individuals in the U.S. since the early 1990s.
They warn that:
"It is in your best interest to find out about medical identity theft, because fraudsters who are using your identity for medical care or services can introduce changes to your medical record that can be nearly impossible to undo. These changes can range from small things that do not pose a risk to you to substantial erroneous information that can pose a medical risk to you."
While checking your credit report can alert you to fraudulent over-due doctor and hospital bills, it will save you much time and hassle by keeping tabs on use of your Social Security Number proactively; if someone uses your SSN to get medical treatment you will need to undo all of the incorrect medical information on record under your name.
When you seek treatment and they request your SSN, confirm if it's really necessary to provide your number. (When my friend asked the hospital why they needed her daughter's SSN on a medical history form, they said "That's a good point" and didn't require it!)
Has this happened to you?
Resources:
See more tips on detecting medical identity theft and browse other World Privacy Forum's resources for more information on keeping your private information private.
ZoneAlarm partner Intersections provides helpful IdentityGuard® services for actively monitoring activity related to your identity:
CreditProtect X3 gives you 3 bureau credit report monitoring that would alert you upon events such as fraudulent late hospital bills.
Fraud Protection provides data including a comprehensive Public Records report showing if someone is using your SSN for fraudulent purposes.
