Identity Thief safety

A Rochester man was arrested for stealing the identity of his dead friend. He used the deceased mans identity to buy Pseudoephedrine at local pharmacies. 

WFFT sat down with the local Better Business Bureau to find out how you can keep yourself safe from identity thieves and prevent a diseased loved one from becoming a victim. 

The BBB says there's not a whole lot you can do to prevent identity thieves. They say besides being aware and extremely protective of your personal information

James Foster was arrested on four felony counts of identity deception after he stole his friends drivers license.

"Once you find out a lot of damage has already been done," said Majorie Stephens, director of Marketplace Services for the Better Business Bureau. 

Stephens says she's not surprised that identity thieves are targeting the deceased.

 "You just need to be vigilant on a daily basis, minute by minute basis that if anything looks suspicious or funny you really should have it checked out," said Stephens. 

Believe it or not the department of commerce actually sells dead peoples social security numbers. 

"It doesn't take that much anymore to search for personal information you can get information on the deceased," said Stephens. 

Tips on protecting your identity:  http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0271-signs-identity-theft