Thieves also are becoming more skilled at stealing identities using medical information, says Holtzman, who specializes in advising doctors and dentists. Thieves can steal medical insurance information and sell it or even use it to obtain medical treatment or drugs.
If such a breach occurs, Holtzman says, the victims should try to get their insurance companies to change their policy numbers as well as issuing new credentials.
Old smartphones and computer hard drives should be properly disposed of and not just thrown in the trash because a wealth of information is stored on them.
Travel, especially overseas, is also an opportunity for thieves and clients should take extra steps to secure their identity while they are out of the country, Holtzman says. Carry a backup credit card in case a main credit card is compromised and monitor credit card reports while traveling, he advises.