The Department of Attorney General is currently investigating several cases of identity and/or check theft in resident care facilities in Michigan. Investigations have revealed that resident care facility employees, pool agency employees and individuals posing as employees, are committing these crimes by using their position to gain access to important personal information. This information is used to obtain credit cards and access financial accounts.

REDUCE THE CHANCES OF BECOMING AN IDENTITY THEFT VICTIM:

• Be alert to visitors and unidentified individuals in care facilities.
  
  
• Discourage residents from pre-signing any checks and/or leaving checkbooks, credit cards, mail, etc. unsecured or unattended.
  
  
• Keep residents' non-medical personal information, i.e. Social Security Number, date of birth, driver's license number, home address and employment history secure.
  
  
• Treat ATM cards, credit cards, credit card mailings, and checkbooks as if they were cash.
  
  
• Review financial and credit statements for unauthorized activity. Carefully dispose of receipts, insurance forms and statements.