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Deborah Ford had a
totally clean record,

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but after a thief
stole her purse

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and used her insurance
card to get prescription

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after prescription
of opioid drugs,

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a warrant was issued
for her arrest.

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At that time I was like
a 59-year-old lady, never

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have been arrested,
and all of a sudden

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all these charges are on me.

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Consumer Reports says
medical identity theft can

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lead to all kinds of problems.

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If a thief gets your
medical identity,

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he or she can use it to
get expensive surgeries,

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medical goods like wheelchairs.

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And cleaning up the
bills and the charges

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can take years and
really negatively affect

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your credit score.

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According to the Medical
Identity Fraud Alliance,

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once your medical record gets
mixed with the criminal's, you

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can get the wrong diagnosis
or the wrong treatment.

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One of the best ways
to protect yourself

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is to make sure you always have
copies of your medical records.

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That way if a thief
adulterates them,

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you can prove
they've been altered.

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Also check your medical
records at least once a year

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to make sure they are accurate.

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Read each benefit notice
from your insurance company

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and call immediately if
you see anything fishy.

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And if you lose your
health insurance card,

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ask for a new ID
number and a new card.

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Deborah Ford finally
got her name cleared,

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but it took 5 years and
$1,500 in legal fees.

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