Identity Theft: Prevention

This is part one of our two part series on identity theft where we are discussing what preventative measures can be taken against identity thieves. Next time we'll look at what should be done if your identity has been stolen. In 2012 around 16.6 million people in the US over the age of 16 were the victim of identity theft (more than 10% of those being over 50) and 68% of them reported financial losses associated with it (average loss of $1,769).

Your identity can be stolen from anything that has personally identifying information (PII) so you should consider anything of the sort “need to know.” There are many ways crooks can get your information: breaking into websites, convince you to type it into online forms/ emails, using skimmers when handling your card or hiding them on ATM machines, gas stations, a waiter may while taking a payment for your meal. Con-men also may try to get information from papers that aren't properly disposed of diving through dumpsters and opening pre-approved lines of credit or taking your account numbers.

Fourteen percent of people will experience identity theft at some point in their lives, what can you to to protect yourself from it?

Protect your mail by...

• Not using a traditional mail box
• Instead get a PO box, a mail slat or a mail box with a lock
• If you have a mail box and no intention of giving it up:
  • Remove mail promptly
  • Take outgoing mail with PII to the post office
  • Don't have a new check book mailed to it
  • Opt out of pre-screened credit opportunities
• If you go away from home request a vacation hold

Protect your information when using technology by...

• Not giving away PII by phone or over the internet unless you initiated the contact, know the company and are confidant you are actually on their web page (some phonies are very convincing, watch out!)
• Don't click links in emails
• Don't post too much information on social media, this includes dates of vacations, thieves look for that!
• Always personalize the privacy settings on your websites
• Don't send personal information over public WiFi (more information on why here)
• Avoid entering your PII into websites that have http instead of https at the front, the s stands for secure (this won't always be possible right now, since websites are still in the process of updating)
• If you sell or otherwise dispose of your computer wipe all the info and overwrite the hard drive first

You can protect yourself in general by...

• Only carrying the identification and payment cards you need for that outing and unless you need it NEVER your social security card!
• Consider your info “need to know”: if a location requests it ask why, how it'll be protected and what the repercussions are for not providing it
• Don't sign your credit card instead write “photo ID required”
• Destroy labels on prescription bottles before disposing of them or alternately see if your hospital, recycling center, or pharmacy takes them
• If you write checks to pay credit card bills don't write the full account number, just the last 4 digits
• Don't have your Social Security number printed on checks, ideally don't have your home address either
• Photocopy both sides of everything you carry in your wallet. Keep the copies in a safe place so you maintain account numbers and phone numbers
• Shred all receipts, credit offers, credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks, bank statements, expired cards, and any other documents with PII
• Lock all financial documents and records in a safe place, keep the key off site if you can
• Check your credit reports and bank account statements for discrepancies regularly

Next week we will go over what to do if your identity has been stolen. What may be reassuring for people who have just discovered that their identity has been stolen is that 86% of people resolve the issues that arise within 24 hours.

I Owe Taxes I Can't Afford to Pay

Sometimes, seniors owe taxes they cannot pay. Often these taxes are old and from prior years when they were working. Some are paying these taxes and going without the basics of life. Although it is rare, some HELPS clients are being garnished 15% of their Social Security. You should know that there is a way to stop harassment and garnishment by the IRS. You can take steps to stop paying past taxes you can’t afford to pay.

The IRS can declare a taxpayer "currently not collectible," after the IRS receives evidence that a taxpayer has no ability to pay. This can be an enormous relief to seniors with a tax liability who are hounded by the IRS to pay their back tax debt. In order to receive Currently Not Collectible status from the IRS, you must prove that you do not have any assets that would enable you to pay the back tax debt you owe (this includes almost all HELPS clients). You must prove that you have enough money to pay for the very basic necessities of life and nothing else. The necessities of life would include: rent, mortgage, food and clothing, health insurance, car payments, auto maintenance, secured loans, utilities, etc. These are called allowable expenses.

Congress has set up an independent department in the IRS called the Taxpayer Advocate Service. It is their job to help persons, including poor elderly, obtain uncollectable status and stop garnishments. This can be done over the phone and it can be done fast! You can find the number for your location here. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is very helpful. We have found them to be kind and patient, after all that is their job.

For HELPS clients:  If you would prefer, we at HELPS will assist you with one of our
volunteers. You will call the IRS together with us on the phone, provide the information they require and in a very short time you can be placed on uncollectable status. No more letters, no more phone calls, no garnishment. 
This all costs you nothing! If you are paying taxes you cannot afford to pay, please pick up the phone and call HELPS.

To learn more about HELPS visit us at our website: http://www.helpsishere.org/

By Attorney Eric Olsen

Tips on How to Find Subsidized Housing

By Cynthia Heirs 
HELPS Housing Volunteer

Here are some tips in finding subsidized housing (housing based on your income and subsidized by Federal or State programs to make it affordable).

1. Contact your county housing authority where you want to live. They usually have a list of
subsidized housing for that county. Call and ask them to send you a list and an application for the types of subsidies they offer. Many offer Public Housing. Some of the Public Housing units are just for seniors and disabled person. Many offer Section 8 assistance that will allow assistance to stay in the home you are in. If you own a mobile home you may qualify for space rent assistance. Landlords are not required to take a Section 8 Voucher. The housing authority may also know of other properties in the county, managed by companies that offer subsidies.

Note: Most subsidies are based on your income and only charge you 30 percent of your adjusted monthly gross income minus a utility allowance.

2. If you have a senior and/ or disabled case worker, contact your case worker and see if they can send you a list of apartments in the area that are subsidized.

3. Look on the internet and type in “subsided housing” in the city you want to live in and see what information is available, e.g.: “subsidized housing, Fresno, CA”.

4. USDA Rural Development also has many properties that offer subsidized housing. The priority for many of their lists depends on your income. Some priorities are based on employment. 

This best website to find this information throughout the United States concerning USDA rural development housing is: http://rdmfhrentals.sc.egov.usda.gov Once you get to the site page you will see a map showing all the states. Click on the state you want, and then click on the county. You will see a list of apartments in each city that has USDA housing, showing how many units they offer, size of units, and if they are subsidized or not. Some will even state if they are family units or senior units. Then you would contact the manager of that complex and request an application. Be sure to talk slowly and leave a complete name and address including zip codes so they will have the information. You should check back in a few days to confirm they have received your message. 


You can contact places all over the United States, but before you move ask for pictures and check out blogs on the internet to see what people say about the apartments. Call the Chamber of Commerce and ask questions. You can never ask too many questions.

     Good Luck!!
     Sincerely, Cynthia

Basics of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

Many people live on a minimal amount of income. Many have sacrificed food in order to pay debts. Many have other necessary expenses that does not leave them enough money for an adequate diet. It is distressing that after a life of hard work, many seniors are forced to sacrifice something as basic as food. But there is help available for many. 

You may have heard of food stamps. This program is now called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. This is a federal program administered by the states that provides supplemental income to persons for the purchase of food. Unfortunately, many seniors who qualify for SNAP do not take advantage of this program. 

Lets go over the basic qualifications. Remember: it is easier for someone over the age of 60 to apply and qualify for help.
1. A member of the household where you live normally needs to apply in person. However, if you are unable to go, the interview can be done by phone or a home visit made.
2. There is a limit on your assets. Your home does not count! You can have a car worth up to $4,650 per adult household member. A car necessary to transport a household member that is physically disabled is not counted. Other household assets are limited at $3,000 for a household with a senior or disabled person. Remember, we are talking about auction value and most persons assets don’t exceed this. Many people over-value their assets. Do not do this!
3. Income qualifications vary by state but again the rules are more generous for seniors. For example, in Oregon a household of two earning $1,500 from Social Security with rent of $500 and medical expense of $250 would receive $153 in food assistance.
4. You can use this online pre-screening eligibility tool

Thankfully, we live in a country that provides for those of us that have need for food. There should be no shame or embarrassment in seeking and obtaining assistance with food. If you need help please consider applying. 

For HELPS Clients:
You can turn to HELPS if you need questions answered and we will try to point you in the right direction. If necessary we will even get the right agency on the phone with you.

To learn more about HELPS visit our website: http://www.helpsishere.org/

The Basics of Housing Assistance

Housing assistance includes programs such as Subsidized Housing, HUD Public Housing Program and Section 8 Housing.

Public housing was established to provide low cost safe rental housing to low income families including the elderly. What this means is that you can rent good housing, often for very little money. Sometimes the rent could be, for example, as low as $25 per month or 10% of your income and the government pays the difference. Many HELPS clients are eligible for subsidized housing and might consider this option to help stretch their budgets. These housing programs must meet certain standards and are often very attractive and safe. Here is how it works...

You will need to call your local Housing Authority to determine if you qualify. You can call one of the following numbers to find out who is your local Housing Authority:

Portland, OR—971-222-2600

Seattle, WA—206-220-5101

Spokane, WA—509-368-3200

Phoenix, AZ—602-379-7100

Tucson, AZ—520-308-3007

Boise, ID—208-334-1990

Salt Lake City, UT—801-524-6070

New Orleans, LA—504-671-3000

Denver, CO—303-672-5440

San Francisco, CA—415-589-6400

Los Angeles, CA—213-894-8000

Sacramento, CA—916-498-5220

San Diego, CA—619-557-5305

Dallas, TX—214-767-8300

Houston, TX—713-718-3199

San Antonio, TX—210-475-6806

Don’t see your local number? You can easily look it up here: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts or feel free to send us an email at info@helpsishere.org and we'll add it to the list!

The application process is simple. They will ask some questions and require some information. They may even visit you to help if it is needed. Remember, they are there to help you. They will ask some questions at first to see if you qualify. There is usually a waiting list so the sooner you apply the better. You can stay in this housing indefinitely as long as you comply with your lease. Preference is normally given to the elderly.

HELPS encourages you to look into these options if housing is a problem.