New consumer alert from AG Nixon today. We are getting word that Missourians in the Kansas City area that have recently lost a spouse are getting calls asking for that spouse's Social Security number. This is an identity theft scam - really, it's a phishing scam. The caller claims to be with a state agency that is finalizing some paperwork associated with the person's death, and that's why they need the info.

Can a dead person be an ID theft victim? Yes. The identity thieves are hoping to use the personal information to set up new credit accounts before word gets around that the person is deceased. It normally takes a little time for the Social Security Administration to register a death and report it to the three major credit bureaus. Thus, if the thieves can get ahead of that process, they may get some credit card or lender to open a new account for them. Thus, the family or the estate of the victim is stuck with the bills.