In 2025, Alabama experienced a substantial increase in identity theft activity, including federal prosecution of organized check fraud rings to arrests for financial identity theft. A major incident included a Medicare data breach that potentially impacted 100,000 residents. Identity theft takes different forms including tax returns, government benefits like Social Security, medical insurance, credit cards, bank accounts, and other types of financial accounts.
Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. (MWM) in Montgomery, AL conducts a free workshop/webinar every year in March on techniques to prevent identity theft. The workshop is updated every year to include new types of identity theft that are occurring and new measures to counteract them. This year’s workshop will be conducted by webinar on Wednesday, March 25th from noon to 1:30 p.m., is complimentary and without obligation. There will be both a live and recorded version. Please call the Moore Wealth Management office for further information or reservations at 256.329.2300 or email Sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com. If you miss the webinar, we also offer free consultations that are without obligation.
Webinar participants receive an action plan containing things to do to minimize the chances that they become victims of identity theft. Topics include methods to protect your credit rating, credit, and debit cards, as well as banking and brokerage accounts. We review how criminals use scanners to collect information on cards used at ATMs, gas pumps and convenience stores. We cover how to protect your electronic exposure on the internet, your computer and cell phone, including passwords and logins, encryption, secure emails, computer hacking and viruses, spyware, and malware.
One of the areas of identity theft that is growing the fastest is in medical insurance fraud, fraudulent tax returns and Social Security benefits. We discuss how to monitor and protect these areas where retirees are especially vulnerable.
Finally, we go over common-sense techniques to thwart some of the most common ways thieves get access to your identity. For example, you should never mail payments on your bills from your mailbox at home. You should shred your boarding passes from airline flights because they contain sensitive information hidden in the bar codes on the passes.
We conduct a variety of workshops and seminars at MWM. The mission statement of MWM is very simple: “and then some.” We attempt to do what is expected, what is required “and then some.” The Identity Theft workshop is part of our monthly “and then some” workshops. In addition, MWM conducts monthly current events market updates that attempt to explain what is going on in the financial world. If you would like to be on the mailing list or receive email notifications of upcoming seminars, please call 256.329.2300.
Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices Montgomery and Alexander City, AL. Susan has over $150 million in assets (as of 9.1.24) under management through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner for over 40 years. Contact Susan at 256.234.2761. Email contact is susan@moorewealthmanagement.com.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney or tax advisor regarding your individual situation. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Moore Wealth Management, Inc. https://www.kestrafinancial.com/disclosures