Identity Theft

Thorpe · 02-12-2007, 08:56 AM

Well, it hasn't happened to me, but just recently started happening to my mother. I checked around online for means to help prevent it but wanted to ask if anyone had any experience with it. We called the credit company and have a watch on her credit. At first someone was trying to open new cards and checking accounts with her name and address. First they had the address off by a few things, then they had it 100% correct. However, in both cases, they didn't have the correct SSN. Now, someone used her AMEX number to purchase over 3,000k in shit online. Luckily AMEX called her and cancelled the account. Thank God that contacted us. We got a voicemail from them saying "suspect suspicious activity" was performed using her account.

Other than placing a watch on her credit, anyone else have any suggestions on what to do? I already told her she should call and have all her credit card numbers changed just to be safe. Funny thing is, she never used the AMEX card online. She has a single credit card set aside for online purchases. And even at that, she mainly uses PayPal.

Darus Grey · 02-12-2007, 09:16 AM

depending on the state you live in there are some options, NY and some other states have it so you can tell the credit tracking agencies they cannot give your credit report to anyone without your express written permission(that must be sent certified mail, that contains a PW you choose).

That pretty much stops any ID theft cold in its tracks, because its impossible to open any new accounts without going to alot of effort, well its an annoyance to you, how often do you really open new accounts?

That said, the credit agencies won't offer that unless required by your state, if the thief already has all her information your basically SOL, you have to notify all the agencies, police, etc, that its going on, and it'll more or less destroy her credit for along time.
Basically they combat it by simply not issuing her credit at all.

Thorpe · 02-12-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darus Grey

depending on the state you live in there are some options, NY and some other states have it so you can tell the credit tracking agencies they cannot give your credit report to anyone without your express written permission(that must be sent certified mail, that contains a PW you choose).

Any idea where I can go to find that information out? We live in PA if that rings and bells.

Clarity · 02-12-2007, 06:59 PM

Let me preface this by saying I'm not a lawyer nor do I have any legal training and laws regarding ID theft and consumer credit reporting vary by state. That said,

Going through this right now myself. Best general advice is contact all 3 major reporting agencies. Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax and put up a fraud alert if you haven't done this yet. If you contact one its supposed to contact the other 2 but alert all 3 just to be safe. It lasts 90 days and creditors must call a phone number you provide to verify you are trying to open the acct. I don't remember if this stops inquiries as well. You can then get a 7 year fraud alert if you file a police report. Get all her credit/debit/ bank acct. numbers changed. Any place shes provided personal information to is a place it could have been stolen from. Purchase a car, buy a home, open a bank account, open or apply for a credit card, even applying for an apartment if they do a credit check. Hell, I know someone who stole credit applications from the garbage by the registers at the local Lowe's. Oh, and I can't forget the military. Half of my high school graduating class had their info stolen from the military records for the ASVAB and some was used. I believe mine was stolen from Lackland AFB as the lease was sold in my name Austin after I was back in WA. /rant off
Start doing serious investigation on this now. Get a notebook or legal pad and keep detailed logs of every conversation you have regarding this issue and write the entries as soon as you are done talking with the person. Put things such as who you talked to, what company or agency they are from, a detailed summary of the conversation, time, date, their name, phone number, etc. The FTC website (Federal Trade Commission Home) has good info on id theft, get on there and check it out. If I seem scatterbrained I apologize. I'm just still fired up over my case and was at the lawyers today.

Ashes Emberblade · 02-12-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarity

Get a notebook or legal pad and keep detailed logs of every conversation you have regarding this issue and write the entries as soon as you are done talking with the person. Put things such as who you talked to, what company or agency they are from, a detailed summary of the conversation, time, date, their name, phone number, etc.

This can't be used as evidence in court unless you immediately dispatch a letter to the person you called confirming the conversation and subject matter. Essentially, if they don't respond, they acknowledge that the letter is correct, and the conversation as described took place. Otherwise, it's just hearsay.

Edit: Also, get a 3in1 credit monitoring subscription for you and your mother, from either Transunion or Equifax, for $15 or $12 monthly, respectively. These services are money well spent, and even provide a small amount of identity theft insurance.

Dintorr · 02-13-2007, 09:52 AM

Most identity theft is done by someone you know, not from someone getting your info online. Just FYI.

Your mom's AMEX number may have been stolen by someone at a store where she used the card, but the fact that they have her SSN leads me to think that this is probably not what happened.

It may be too late, but look these guys up:

Identity Theft Prevention – Identity Theft Protection – Stop Identity Theft

Clarity · 02-13-2007, 06:55 PM

I never said take notes for use in court. These notes are useful so each time you call a company you can reference previous calls or if you need to subpoena phone records you have times and dates to reference. After the third or forth time you've talked to the same person in a week conversations blend together and its nice to be able to be able to recall what was said on exact dates. Also, your use of "hearsay" is not correct. Maybe you meant something different.

02-12-2007, 06:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Clarity Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 34 +0 Internets	Let me preface this by saying I'm not a lawyer nor do I have any legal training and laws regarding ID theft and consumer credit reporting vary by state. That said, Going through this right now myself. Best general advice is contact all 3 major reporting agencies. Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax and put up a fraud alert if you haven't done this yet. If you contact one its supposed to contact the other 2 but alert all 3 just to be safe. It lasts 90 days and creditors must call a phone number you provide to verify you are trying to open the acct. I don't remember if this stops inquiries as well. You can then get a 7 year fraud alert if you file a police report. Get all her credit/debit/ bank acct. numbers changed. Any place shes provided personal information to is a place it could have been stolen from. Purchase a car, buy a home, open a bank account, open or apply for a credit card, even applying for an apartment if they do a credit check. Hell, I know someone who stole credit applications from the garbage by the registers at the local Lowe's. Oh, and I can't forget the military. Half of my high school graduating class had their info stolen from the military records for the ASVAB and some was used. I believe mine was stolen from Lackland AFB as the lease was sold in my name Austin after I was back in WA. /rant off Start doing serious investigation on this now. Get a notebook or legal pad and keep detailed logs of every conversation you have regarding this issue and write the entries as soon as you are done talking with the person. Put things such as who you talked to, what company or agency they are from, a detailed summary of the conversation, time, date, their name, phone number, etc. The FTC website (Federal Trade Commission Home) has good info on id theft, get on there and check it out. If I seem scatterbrained I apologize. I'm just still fired up over my case and was at the lawyers today. Last edited by Clarity : 02-13-2007 at 06:55 PM.

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02-12-2007, 09:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
Darus Grey I can dance if I want to Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 1,267	depending on the state you live in there are some options, NY and some other states have it so you can tell the credit tracking agencies they cannot give your credit report to anyone without your express written permission(that must be sent certified mail, that contains a PW you choose). That pretty much stops any ID theft cold in its tracks, because its impossible to open any new accounts without going to alot of effort, well its an annoyance to you, how often do you really open new accounts? That said, the credit agencies won't offer that unless required by your state, if the thief already has all her information your basically SOL, you have to notify all the agencies, police, etc, that its going on, and it'll more or less destroy her credit for along time. Basically they combat it by simply not issuing her credit at all.

02-13-2007, 09:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dintorr space accountant Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta, Chocolate City, USA Posts: 771 -2 Internets	Most identity theft is done by someone you know, not from someone getting your info online. Just FYI. Your mom's AMEX number may have been stolen by someone at a store where she used the card, but the fact that they have her SSN leads me to think that this is probably not what happened. It may be too late, but look these guys up: Identity Theft Prevention – Identity Theft Protection – Stop Identity Theft

02-13-2007, 06:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Clarity Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 34 +0 Internets	I never said take notes for use in court. These notes are useful so each time you call a company you can reference previous calls or if you need to subpoena phone records you have times and dates to reference. After the third or forth time you've talked to the same person in a week conversations blend together and its nice to be able to be able to recall what was said on exact dates. Also, your use of "hearsay" is not correct. Maybe you meant something different.