Are you sure you want to exit? Your progress will be lost.
Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
✔
I acknowledge and authorize
✔
I consent to the collection of my consumer health data.*
✔
I consent to the sharing of my consumer health data with qualified home care agencies.*
*If I am consenting on behalf of someone else, I have the proper authorization to do so. By clicking Get My Results, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You also consent to receive calls and texts, which may be autodialed, from us and our customer communities. Your consent is not a condition to using our service. Please visit our Terms of Use. for information about our privacy practices.
Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
Share a few details and we will match you to trusted home care in your area:
Best information I find is on the AARP pages. If you are their POA you can likely freeze their credit so that Social Security number won't allow anyone to apply for credit using their names. You can also place fraud alerts with TransUnion, Experian and the Equifax agencies. There will be other information out there when you google "Identity Theft Protection". So sorry that this happened.
I locked my husband’s after he gave his number to scammers. I locked mine too. Also, most credit and bank cards have phone apps that allow you to flip a switch that locks your card down so no one can use it. I keep mine locked until I’m about to use it, then I relock it immediately.
That is a new one for me, but in addition their credit info should be frozen via the credit bureaus. The e-verify won't prevent thieves from using SS # to open new credit, rent/buy, etc.
Also note that the freeze doesn't protect existing accounts. Each should be contacted to report the issue (banks, credit cards, investments, etc.)
Contact all three credit companies immediately and freeze their credit. Don't lose the password they give you in order to unfreeze it.
Also send a letter to each agency telling them the numbers have been scammed, and that your parents have not authorized any credit or loan applications. (These letters have to be signed and the freezing done by your parents, but of course, the freezing can be done online, so you can do it, and you can write the letters/emails for them.)
If your folks aren't likely to be getting a new credit card or a loan anytime soon, you may never have to unfreeze it. I froze my parents' credit in 2018 and never changed that status.
*Remember to do it for each SS#. They have separate credit profiles.
I would also contact SS directly and advise of the potential theft and ask to start the process for changing their SS numbers. Notify the bank at which their monthly SS funds are deposited as well. I don't know offhand how SS payments are made when fraud is involved, but it's best to find out now, as in today.
I searched for a "not responsive declaration" that used to be possible, haven't found info, but did find this very good outline for action:
Given that in the past EVERYTHING you had to do required giving that SS#. It was never intended to be used for anything other than SS, but in the past, school/college, insurance (home/car), doctor offices, hospitals, virtually EVERYONE used SS# in some way. It was only when hackers became more prevalent that this became an issue. Certainly we are told not to give it out, but give me a break!!! It is more a case of being trusting and because this is the way it was done for SO long that people get taken.
As far as being stupid, as I noted in another comment, the woman at the EC atty office sent my SS# via email, asking me to confirm it so she could finalize the trust being set up for my mother. AN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE!!!! Even when I called and chastised her for this, she was clueless and said it was all fine. She's obviously not "stupid", but she IS clueless.
Throw in some cognitive issues and we have a recipe for disaster. Despite what YOU think of those with dementia, THEY CAN'T HELP IT anymore than the fact that you can't walk.
Call Social Security to inform them and make sure your Bank is told not to release any cash from Bank Accounts without you being present. Also you can ask to be notified on any new bill payments
Rather than reply to the original comment, where it might get lost, I'm posting this as a new comment. This is in regards to "locking" your SSN via the E-Verify.
I was aware of this "tool", to be used by employers to verify that you were legally eligible to be employed in the US. I was not aware that we could do something with it. HOWEVER, this morning I read an article about this very "method.":
You can read it yourself for the details, but it appears that this is more than useless for "locking" your information. The author was able, using a different email and server, to set up a second account and unlock it.
I would NOT recommend using this tool. FREEZE credit through the 3 major credit bureaus to prevent anyone using an SSN to open new lines of credit (CCs, mortgages, loans, etc.), prevent someone using it to rent/buy and/or secure employment.
Please note that freezing your credit does NOT protect existing accounts. You would need to contact each provider to address the compromises.
I am not sure what you can do. With my MIL she gave out her bank acct# and realized what she did as soon as she hung up. She called her bank and they froze her acct.
I would freeze their credit cards. Call the bank. Call Social Security. Ask all of them if there is some kind of Security guard thing you can join now to track the SS and get an alert when someone tries to open an acct with ur parents SS#s. Their Credit Cards, may have that feature.
As others and I noted, freezing your credit with the 3 major credit bureaus is the best way to handle this initially. You won't need any credit monitoring (the ones that have been provided to me in the past when someone out there made mistakes were useless!) This prevents anyone using their info to open new accounts, rent/buy, get loans, etc. It will NOT protect any existing accounts.
Additionally, contact banks, investment companies, credit card companies, insurance, etc and report this. They should have ways to "manage" it. Contact SS via the local office and report it there too - they should be able to advise you.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Best information I find is on the AARP pages. If you are their POA you can likely freeze their credit so that Social Security number won't allow anyone to apply for credit using their names. You can also place fraud alerts with TransUnion, Experian and the Equifax agencies.
There will be other information out there when you google "Identity Theft Protection". So sorry that this happened.
It should be done pronto since SS#s have been handed out. It should include a fraud alert.
I locked my husband’s after he gave his number to scammers. I locked mine too. Also, most credit and bank cards have phone apps that allow you to flip a switch that locks your card down so no one can use it. I keep mine locked until I’m about to use it, then I relock it immediately.
Also note that the freeze doesn't protect existing accounts. Each should be contacted to report the issue (banks, credit cards, investments, etc.)
Also send a letter to each agency telling them the numbers have been scammed, and that your parents have not authorized any credit or loan applications. (These letters have to be signed and the freezing done by your parents, but of course, the freezing can be done online, so you can do it, and you can write the letters/emails for them.)
If your folks aren't likely to be getting a new credit card or a loan anytime soon, you may never have to unfreeze it. I froze my parents' credit in 2018 and never changed that status.
*Remember to do it for each SS#. They have separate credit profiles.
I searched for a "not responsive declaration" that used to be possible, haven't found info, but did find this very good outline for action:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0213-lost-or-stolen-credit-atm-and-debit-cards
Another source with helpful information:
https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/your-rights-in-case-of-fraud/
Given that in the past EVERYTHING you had to do required giving that SS#. It was never intended to be used for anything other than SS, but in the past, school/college, insurance (home/car), doctor offices, hospitals, virtually EVERYONE used SS# in some way. It was only when hackers became more prevalent that this became an issue. Certainly we are told not to give it out, but give me a break!!! It is more a case of being trusting and because this is the way it was done for SO long that people get taken.
As far as being stupid, as I noted in another comment, the woman at the EC atty office sent my SS# via email, asking me to confirm it so she could finalize the trust being set up for my mother. AN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE!!!! Even when I called and chastised her for this, she was clueless and said it was all fine. She's obviously not "stupid", but she IS clueless.
Throw in some cognitive issues and we have a recipe for disaster. Despite what YOU think of those with dementia, THEY CAN'T HELP IT anymore than the fact that you can't walk.
Also you can ask to be notified on any new bill payments
I was aware of this "tool", to be used by employers to verify that you were legally eligible to be employed in the US. I was not aware that we could do something with it. HOWEVER, this morning I read an article about this very "method.":
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/07/e-verifys-ssn-lock-is-nothing-of-the-sort/
You can read it yourself for the details, but it appears that this is more than useless for "locking" your information. The author was able, using a different email and server, to set up a second account and unlock it.
I would NOT recommend using this tool. FREEZE credit through the 3 major credit bureaus to prevent anyone using an SSN to open new lines of credit (CCs, mortgages, loans, etc.), prevent someone using it to rent/buy and/or secure employment.
Please note that freezing your credit does NOT protect existing accounts. You would need to contact each provider to address the compromises.
I would freeze their credit cards. Call the bank. Call Social Security. Ask all of them if there is some kind of Security guard thing you can join now to track the SS and get an alert when someone tries to open an acct with ur parents SS#s. Their Credit Cards, may have that feature.
Additionally, contact banks, investment companies, credit card companies, insurance, etc and report this. They should have ways to "manage" it. Contact SS via the local office and report it there too - they should be able to advise you.
Scammers could immediately apply for credit cards as soon as they had the numbers
See All Answers