Study: Many Unaware of Medical Identity Theft

A new study suggests that Americans know little about medical identity theft and the damaging effects it can have on a person’s health and wallet.

The new Nationwide Insurance survey shows that few consumers know what medical identity theft is even though it is the fastest growing type of identity theft, according to Claims Journal. The survey questioned 2,001 adults with health insurance and found that only 15 percent were familiar with medical identity theft.

Survey respondents also underestimated the repercussions of the identity theft, many thinking it could be resolved easily and quickly, when it could actually take many months and cost thousands of dollars.

Medical identity theft happens when one person steals someone else’s medical information to receive health care, buy prescription drugs, or submit false insurance claims.

The World Privacy Foundation says that medical identity theft affected 1.5 million Americans, costing more than $30 billion, according to Claims Journal.

If you or a loved believes that you are a victim of medical identity theft, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find if a consumer fraud lawyer may be able to help you. For legal help, call (800) 581-6358.

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