Posted by Pete_NY on 6/22/05 11:45pm
Msg #47017

It had to happen sooner or later

Well, my identity was stolen. The best I can determine is that I used my new VISA card at a restaurant and forgot to scratch out the security code on the back of the card. Someone took it and charged over $7,000 on it. Fortuneately, a merchant called me about a charge on a Visa card that wasn't mine and I in turn called my card co. and got the purchases scratched off. However, whoever has it has my cell phone # and probably all my other personal info. to boot. I've already spent 10 hours on the phone since yesterday and I'm just getting started. Who knows how many cards have already been issued in my name (considering all the instant credit people can get at merchants these days) and whether they put in a change of address to keep me from seeing the bills until the debt collectors call me in the future.

So just a word of caution, scratch off the security code on your cards if you can, maybe pay cash as often as you can at places you don't know and never give out any personal info where you don't have to. As if I didn't have enough to do....

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/22/05 11:52pm
Msg #47020

DO THIS NOW...

Excerpt from something I saved. Hope it helps:
"Call the 3 National Credit Reporting Organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done.

There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away This weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

Reply by Anonymous on 6/22/05 11:57pm
Msg #47024

Re: DO THIS NOW...

yea, do it asap- it takes a long time to correct things on your credit report if someone else messes with it.

Reply by Pete_NY on 6/22/05 11:59pm
Msg #47027

Re: DO THIS NOW...

Thanks Anon.

Reply by Pete_NY on 6/22/05 11:58pm
Msg #47025

Re: DO THIS NOW...

Thank you Lee. I did everything you suggested. The SS admin couldn't help me. Said I had to file an affidavit with the FTC. But I still have to wait for the police report. You just can't imagine how many phone calls I've been on already these last two days. I'm also assuming they have my Soc Sec number and it will certainly be interesting (yeah, right). They may also be getting drivers licenses in my name. Maybe I'll be able to write a book in the future or made for TV movie after I'm arrested.

I'm glad you were able to shut your stuff down. I hope I'll be so fortunate. Have a nice day tomorrow.

Reply by PAW_Fl on 6/23/05 12:08am
Msg #47031

Re: DO THIS NOW...

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I too have been a victim of identity theft. It happened almost 10 years ago and I am still feeling the effect of it every now and then. Life does go on and it's a real b-tch to get through the first month. You will be spending a lot of time initially getting things back under your control.

First and foremost, remove your social security card from your wallet. Only carry it on your person when you need to, which isn't very often. Never provide your SSN in an open and unprotected environment, including doctor's offices.

Remove the security code from the back of your credit cards.

Sign your credit cards in BLUE ink. Then with a RED Sharpie, write "Verify signature with picture ID" above your signature, slightly overlapping the signature.

When using your driver's license for anything but law enforcement purposes, place a piece of black electrical tape over the DL number.

Hopefully, these suggestions, and the suggestions of others, will help others avoid the possibility of identify theft.

Reply by Pete_NY on 6/23/05 12:12am
Msg #47032

Re: DO THIS NOW...

Thanks PAW. I printed out your response to remind me of that tomorrow.

Reply by PAW_Fl on 6/23/05 7:58am
Msg #47062

Re: DO THIS NOW...

Oh yeah, I forgot one important one.

If you use a credit card online, I suggest getting one strictly for that purpose and never enter your cc number on an unprotected website. Or better yet ...

I use Citibank's Virtual Account Number as well. With this free service for Citi cardmembers, you never have to give out your real credit card number online. Every time you use Virtual Account Numbers to make a purchase, a substitute number is generated to take the place of your real number. And every purchase you make will appear on your credit card statement, just like any other transaction. http://www.citibank.com/us/cards/tour/cb/shp_van.htm

What I like about them, is that you can create a one-time / one-use only number. Once it's used, any further attempt to use that number will be denied.

Reply by Pete_NY on 6/23/05 9:30am
Msg #47090

Re: DO THIS NOW...

PAW...thanks. That's a great suggestion. I didn't know about that service. We don't have Citi down here (I'm back in Atlanta for the next week or so). I'll check into that when I'm back in NY.

Reply by Nd_WA on 6/23/05 12:06am
Msg #47029

Been there...Done all

1. Call up all the major credit bereau and put a flag on your SS#. It will stay active for one year. Any inquiry made in your name/SS# for your credit report would have to be verified by a phone call to your home number first.

2. File a report with your local sheriff department.

3. File a report with the FTC.

4. Request that your bank check for ID/password on every transaction made from here on.

5. Call all your credit card companies and report every single one as stolen to have new card issued.

Reply by Pete_NY on 6/23/05 12:13am
Msg #47033

Re: Been there...Done all

Thanks ND.

Reply by Midwest on 6/23/05 8:11am
Msg #47064

Re: DO THIS NOW...

Lee, you may have saved many of us lots of hours looking for those numbers in case of emergency. i just printed off that page and will keep it handy. Sorry to Paul, at his expense we will learn a lesson, i hope you can get this matter resolved quickly.

Reply by Pete_NY on 6/23/05 9:41am
Msg #47097

Re: DO THIS NOW...

Thanks Midwest. Have a great day.

Reply by Thanks! on 6/23/05 10:54am
Msg #47114

Lee..thanks for the detailed info!-NM///Re: DO THIS NOW...

Reply by Barry/FL on 6/23/05 7:08am
Msg #47054

I think you should notify the credit bureaus immediately. Also, contact your other credit card companies to have them cancel other cards and issue you new numbers; notify the Social Security Administration to see what steps you should take there. Do everything you can to minimize the damage.

Pre-Paid Legal has a program regarding Identity-Theft. When something like this happens, they have attorneys who take care of this immediately.

Reply by Pete_NY on 6/23/05 9:34am
Msg #47092

Barry... I have been a member of Pre-Paid for about 10 years now. Didn't even dawn on me since I figured I'd have to take responsibility for doing all the follow-up and tracking down. But maybe I should at least make them aware of what happened so they have the info in their file in case something rears its ugly head down the road. Thanks a lot. Have a great day.

Reply by Lori/CA on 6/23/05 7:42am
Msg #47057

Pete,

I too had my identity stolen. It took over 1 1/2 years to settle everything. The biggest thing you can do is just ride with the BS and not fight it. When I would get ticked off things seemed to come crashing down. Grant me the strength to accept the things I can not change!

I did get all the charges removed and all $14,000 put back in my account. The only residue that gets to me is when I go for something personal of mine and remember it was in my purse that was stolen.

Sorry you have to deal with this.

Hey, I was told ID theft was a felony. They sure do not treat it that way!

Lori

Reply by Teasa Mahar on 6/23/05 8:20am
Msg #47069

PAW, very good tips

Reply by Teasa Mahar on 6/23/05 8:26am
Msg #47073

Customer had identity theft

I did a signing, very nice professional people and the they had their identity stolen. It took them a year to clear up. What killed me is he said the found the person (a female in Las Vegas, NV) who, if you can believe it had a baby with his credit card amoung thousands of dollars for other things. They knew where she was and he was told by the DA's in both states they did not bother with this kind of prosecution????? Somthing has to change.

Reply by Pete_NY on 6/23/05 9:43am
Msg #47098

Re: Customer had identity theft

Ahh.... it pays to be crooked. If I only had a streak of larceny in me. Thanks Teasa.

Reply by Pete_NY on 6/23/05 9:40am
Msg #47095

Lori...Sorry to hear this happened to you but that you have been able to stay on top. Just yesterday I found three other people who are going through the same thing and they were two nurses at one of my doctor's office (both of their husbands) and a fellow I worked with at Home Depot (I still do some part time work for them). That will change when I finally settle in in NY. The criminals always have the protection of the law on their side. Isn't that the way it always is?

Have a wonderful day.

Reply by Pete on 6/23/05 1:43pm
Msg #47164

That is why it is called the Criminal Justice System - not the victim Justice System. I have subscribed to one of the main credit reporting systems for 5 years. Ever since an employee decided that she liked my name and credit rating better than hers.