scholarly journals The financial and psychological impact of identity theft among older adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marguerite DeLiema ◽  
David Burnes ◽  
Lynn Langton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Private Information ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Identity Theft ◽  
Crime Victimization ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Time Information ◽  
Out Of Pocket Costs

Abstract Background and Objectives Society’s growing reliance on technology to transfer private information has created more opportunities for identity thieves to access and misuse personal data. Research on identity theft specifically among adults age 65 and older is virtually nonexistent, yet research focusing on victims of all ages indicates a positive association between age, minority status, and more severe economic and psychological consequences. Research Design and Methods Identity theft measures come from a sample of more than 2,000 self-reported victims age 65 and older from the nationally representative National Crime Victimization Survey Identity Theft Supplements administered in 2014 and 2016. Regression was used to examine how socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, and incident-specific factors relate to how much money is stolen, the likelihood of experiencing out-of-pocket costs, and emotional distress among older identity theft victims. Results Older Black identity theft victims were more likely to have greater amounts of money stolen and were more likely feel distressed by the incident than older White victims. The most disadvantaged older adults living at or below the federal poverty level were significantly more likely to suffer out-of-pocket costs. The length of time information was misused, experiencing subsequent financial problems and problems with friends/family, and the hours spent resolving identity theft were positively associated with emotional distress. Among those age 65 and older, age was not significantly associated with losses or emotional distress. Discussion and Implications Older adults living in poverty need more resources to assist with recovery and reporting identity theft to law enforcement. Limiting the extent of losses from identity theft and reducing the length of time information is misused may reduce the emotional toll of identity theft on older victims.

scholarly journals Identity Theft and Older Adults: How Minorities and the Poor Suffer the Worst Consequences

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 324-324
Author(s):  
Marguerite DeLiema ◽  
David Burnes ◽  
Lynn Langton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Private Information ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Identity Theft ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Crime Victimization ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Out Of Pocket Costs

Abstract Society’s growing reliance on technology to transfer and store private information has created more opportunities for identity thieves to access personal data. Prior work using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) Identity Theft Supplement (ITS) showed that baby boomers were significantly more likely than Millennials to be victims of identity theft and that older people and minorities experience more severe economic and psychological consequences. This study examines how socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, and incident-specific factors relate to how much money is stolen during identity theft, the likelihood of experiencing out-of-pocket costs, and emotional distress among identity theft victims age 65 and older. Using combined data from the 2014 and 2016 NCVS-ITS, this study examines the correlates of financial and psychological consequences of identity theft among 2,307 victims age 65 and older. Older Black victims are more likely to have greater amounts of money stolen and are more likely feel distressed than older non-Latino white identity theft victims. The most disadvantaged older adults living at or below the federal poverty level are nearly five times as likely to suffer out-of-pocket costs. The length of time information is misused and the hours spent resolving identity theft are significantly associated with emotional distress. More than one-third of older victims experience moderate to severe emotional distress following identity theft, and those who can least afford it suffer out-of-pocket costs. Greater advocacy and psychological support are needed to help older adults recover, in addition to tools to protect their personal information from misuse.

scholarly journals Identity Theft Among Older Adults: Risk and Protective Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 31-31
Author(s):  
Marguerite DeLiema ◽  
Lynn Langton ◽  
David Burnes
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Private Information ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Identity Theft ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Financial Exploitation ◽  
Security Software

Abstract Although financial exploitation and fraud targeting older adults have been the focus of increasing academic attention, research on identity theft among older adults is virtually nonexistent. Identity theft refers to an intentional, unauthorized transfer or use of a person’s identifying information for unlawful purposes (Federal Trade Commission 1998). Society’s growing reliance on technology to transfer and store private information has created increased opportunities for financial predators to access and misuse personal data. Results from the most recent Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Identity Theft Supplement show that nearly 1 in 10 adults aged 65 or older experienced identity theft in the past year, with financial losses totaling $2.5 billion. Given the high frequency and cost of identity theft among older Americans, more research is needed to guide prevention efforts and interventions that support recovery. This paper examines the risk factors, protective factors, costs, and consequences of identity theft victimization among older adults, focusing on differences between those aged 65-74 and those 75 or older. Findings suggest that the prevalence of identity theft is lower among those 75 or older (6.6% versus 10.3%), but those 75 or older experienced higher average losses per identity theft incident ($155 vs $96). Compared to those aged 65-74, a lower percentage of adults aged 75 or older engaged in online shopping, thereby reducing their risk of identity exposure (48% versus 24%). However, they were also less likely to engage in protective behaviors such as checking credit reports, changing passwords, checking account statements, and using security software.

Fraud and Identity Theft Issues

2012 ◽  
pp. 245-260
Author(s):  
Ranaganayakulu Dhanalakshmi ◽  
Chenniappan Chellappan
Keyword(s):  
Social Security ◽  
Private Information ◽  
Credit Card ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Identity Theft ◽  
Phishing Attacks ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Cross Site

Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain. In spite of the different possible attacks discussed in later chapters, this chapter can focus on phishing attacks – a form of indirect attacks– such as an act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the user to visit a Web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. Phishing attacks use ‘spoofed’ e-mails and fraudulent websites designed to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames and passwords, social security numbers, et cetera. The vulnerabilities on various phishing methods such as domain name spoofing, URL obfuscation, susceptive e-mails, spoofed DNS and IP addresses, and cross site scripting are analyzed, and the chapter concludes that an integrated approach is required to mitigate phishing attacks.

scholarly journals Privatizing the Welfare State

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 719-719
Author(s):  
Pamela Herd
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Welfare State ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Access To Care ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Interest Group ◽  
Women's Issues ◽  
Administrative Burden ◽  
Out Of Pocket Costs ◽  
The Welfare State

Abstract The growth of the private sector in the Medicare and Medicaid programs is a sea change, leading many to argue that the old age welfare state is effectively becoming privatized. I examine these trends, but focus on the consequences for how older adults experience their interactions with government. In particular, I examine how privatization increases administrative burden for beneficiaries. Older adults must navigate hundreds of choices, leading to significant confusion. Most fail to pick policies that maximize their benefits and reduce their cost. This confusion harms beneficiaries. They end up with suboptimal coverage, with increased out of pocket costs and decreased access to care. The confusion, however, generates profits for insurers. Part of a symposium sponsored by the Women's Issues Interest Group.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 restriction measures on loneliness among older adults in Austria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin Stolz ◽  
Hannes Mayerl ◽  
Wolfgang Freidl
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Opening Phase

Abstract Background To halt the spread of COVID-19, Austria implemented a 7-week ’lockdown’ in March/April 2020. We assess whether the ensuing reduction in social contacts led to increased loneliness among older adults (60+). Methods Three analyses were conducted: (1) A comparison between pre-pandemic (SHARE: 2013-2017) and pandemic (May 2020) levels of loneliness (UCLA-3 scale), (2) an assessment of the cross-sectional correlation between being affected by COVID-19 restriction measures and loneliness (May 2020), and (3) a longitudinal analysis of weekly changes (March-June 2020) in loneliness (Corona panel). Results We found (1) increased loneliness in 2020 compared with previous years, (2) a moderate positive association between the number of restriction measures older adults were affected from and their loneliness, and (3) that loneliness was higher during ’lockdown’ compared to the subsequent re-opening phase, particularly among those who live alone. Conclusion We provide evidence that COVID-19 restriction measures in Austria have indeed resulted in increased levels of loneliness among older adults. However, these effects seem to be short-lived, and thus no strong negative consequences for older adults’ mental health are expected. Nonetheless, the effects on loneliness, and subsequent mental health issues, might be both more long-lasting and severe if future restriction measures are enacted repeatedly and/or over longer time periods.

scholarly journals Wisdom and fluid intelligence are dissociable in healthy older adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Cutter A. Lindbergh ◽  
Heather Romero-Kornblum ◽  
Sophia Weiner-Light ◽  
J. Clayton Young ◽  
Corrina Fonseca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Older Adults

ABSTRACT Objectives: The relationship between wisdom and fluid intelligence (Gf) is poorly understood, particularly in older adults. We empirically tested the magnitude of the correlation between wisdom and Gf to help determine the extent of overlap between these two constructs. Design: Cross-sectional study with preregistered hypotheses and well-powered analytic plan (https://osf.io/h3pjx). Setting: Memory and Aging Center at the University of California San Francisco, located in the USA. Participants: 141 healthy older adults (mean age = 76 years; 56% female). Measurements: Wisdom was quantified using a well-validated self-report-based scale (San Diego Wisdom Scale or SD-WISE). Gf was assessed via composite measures of processing speed (Gf-PS) and executive functioning (Gf-EF). The relationships of SD-WISE scores to Gf-PS and Gf-EF were tested in bivariate correlational analyses and multiple regression models adjusted for demographics (age, sex, and education). Exploratory analyses evaluated the relationships between SD-WISE and age, episodic memory performance, and dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortical volumes on magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Wisdom showed a small, positive association with Gf-EF (r = 0.181 [95% CI 0.016, 0.336], p = .031), which was reduced to nonsignificance upon controlling for demographics, and no association with Gf-PS (r = 0.019 [95% CI −0.179, 0.216], p = .854). Wisdom demonstrated a small, negative correlation with age (r = −0.197 [95% CI −0.351, −0.033], p = .019), but was not significantly related to episodic memory or prefrontal volumes. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that most of the variance in wisdom (>95%) is unaccounted for by Gf. The independence of wisdom from cognitive functions that reliably show age-associated declines suggests that it may hold unique potential to bolster decision-making, interpersonal functioning, and other everyday activities in older adults.

scholarly journals The Influence of Mindfulness Meditation Versus CBT for Anxiety on Emotional Distress and Attitudes Towards Seeking Mental Health Treatment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Aisenberg-Shafran ◽  
Liav Shturm
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Before And After

Abstract Older adults often avoid seeking psychological treatment, challenging their ability to adaptively deal with anxiety, stress and depression. The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of a mindfulness intervention vs. cognitive-behavioral-therapy (CBT) on measures of emotional distress and attitudes towards seeking mental-health treatment among older adults. Twenty-four seniors were assigned to: 1) MBIS (Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Seniors); and 2) CBT for anxiety, or to a care-as-usual control group. Attitudes towards seeking psychological treatment, levels of depression, anxiety and worry were measured before and after the interventions. Following the intervention, participants more positively addressed the possibility of utilizing psychological treatment, while no changes were observed in the control group. Interestingly, levels of worry improved only in the MBIS group, and anxiety levels only improved in the CBT group. It seems that attending cognitive group interventions are effective to their focus and positively impact attitudes towards psychological treatment.

Goal disengagement capacities and severity of disease across older adulthood

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joelle Jobin ◽  
Carsten Wrosch
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Goal Disengagement ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Early Old Age

This study examined age-related associations between goal disengagement capacities, emotional distress, and disease severity across older adulthood. Given that an age-related increase in the experience of stressors might render important goals unattainable, it is expected that goal disengagement capacities would predict a decrease in the severity of experienced illness (i.e., the common cold) by preventing emotional distress (i.e., depressive symptoms), particularly so among individuals in advanced (as compared to early) old age. This hypothesis was tested in a 6-year longitudinal study of 131 older adults (age range = 64 to 90). Regression analyses showed that goal disengagement capacities buffered 6-year increases in older adults’ cold symptoms, and that this effect was significantly pronounced among older-old participants. Mediation analyses further indicated that changes in depressive symptoms exerted an indirect effect on the age-related association between goal disengagement and changes in cold symptoms. The study’s findings suggest that goal disengagement capacities become increasingly important for protecting emotional well-being and physical health as older adults advance in age.

scholarly journals Responsible Research on Social Networks

2018 ◽  
pp. 558-576
Author(s):  
Jon Crowcroft ◽  
Hamed Haddadi ◽  
Tristan Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Private Information ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Legal Requirements ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Responsible Research ◽  
Responsible Manner

Researchers have found online social networks a goldmine for research into various aspects of social behavior and interpersonal communication. For example, observing social interaction between individuals and their engagement in conversations, or performing sentiment analysis on these communications, is often carried out for research in a number of disciplines such as health, sociology, or politics. Such studies introduce many challenges for conducting research in a responsible manner. Data may be repurposed or cross-correlated in ways that participants may not have anticipated or desired, private information may be collected, or legal requirements may not be met. This chapter explores some of the challenges and dilemmas faced by industry, academia, regulators, privacy advocates, and ultimately the individuals using these services. It discusses the pros and cons of the collection, analysis, and archiving of personal data for digital research. The chapter concludes by discussing theoretical and practical approaches that target these dilemmas.

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