KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | The Identity Of A Dead Medal Of Honor Recipient Has Been 'Ghosted'

The Identity Of A Dead Medal Of Honor Recipient Has Been 'Ghosted'

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by Dylan Wohlenhaus, KHQ Local News Reporter - email

ST. MARIES, Idaho - Vernon Baker's widow, Heidy Baker discovered after she tried to file a joint tax return that someone else had already filed and stolen her late husbands identity. The identity theft happened in March of 2011, but Heidy recently contacted KHQ about the theft. Vernon Baker was among seven African American World War Two veterans to receive a Medal Of Honor more than 50 years after they fought in the war. However he was the only one living. Baker died in 2010.  

    Ghosting is a common term used for when identity thieves search obituaries and steal the identity of people who have died, often stealing personal information and social security numbers. Bakers widow, Heidy says she was frightened to learn of the theft and afraid that whoever stole his identity opened credit cards and other accounts. Vernon's life and death was widely publicized locally and nationally.