Help me stop an attempt to steal my Identity

LinnieBeth | 11-18-01 | LinnieBeth

[LinnieBeth]

I have just become aware that someone has applied for credit cards in my name.
Does anyone know who to contact, and/or how to stop it?

[invoman]

cONTACT ALL 3 CREDIT BUREUAS!

Call your local bank to get the phone numbers. Do it NOW.

[JHENN22499]

I saw a report on MSNBC. There is a web site devoted to identity theft. Perhaps you could search that sight. It tells you exactly what to do and expect. I'm sorry I do not have the web address. Good Luck!!! Make that police report immediately!! Prayers going to you....

[hellinahandcart]

I'd call the police, for sure; they arrest people for that sort of thing.

[muggs]

Listen to invoman and call the credit bureuas. Good luck.

[commish]

Start by contacting your local Credit Bureau!! They can give you numbers etc for the three MAJOR credit Reporting agencies... Contact them by phone or through their websites and tell them what is happening, and request an IMMEDIATE Credit report -- Then IMMEDIATELY FILE with each bureau a statement that this is happening!!!

[Fred Mertz]

What's your date of birth please?

[LJLucido]

How do we know they didn't also steal your screen name?

[SirFishalot]

The first place to call is the credit card company that was applied to (if you know it) and ask to speak with their fraud division, they will usually hook you up with the proper authorities as well as start their own investigation. Next step is to call all three credit bureaus and ask them to freeze your info and to put a watch on the files.

Make sure you save every scrap of paper any of these companies or investigators gives you, when speaking with them, make notes of the names of anyone you speak to and ask for case and/or reference numbers if any. This info will most likely never be needed, however it will help you straighten it out if it should ever come up later.

[JHENN22499]

My mother in law had this problem. She was 82 when her private nurse (hired through an agency) stole her cash card, checks, and credit cards. When we went to the police and contacted the credit card companies the debt ran over $15,000 combined. Because each industry has to file indiv- idually (she knew what she was doing), the police could not charge her as each individual forgave the charges as they were not over $5,000. Very upsetting considering as this woman continues to rip off the elderly in AZ. Had her name address and NOTHING happened. Hopefully things have improved over the last 10 years. It took me 6-9 months to straighten out her bank and credit cards. Due to her age her credit rating was not an issue. Police were as angry as I that no one would prosecute!

[Quilla]

Hi Fred,

I've seen many of your posts and know that you are probably asking an innocent question. But, could you please explain the reasoning behind your question, as I imagine LinnieBeth is leary about giving out any information at this stage?

[Fred Mertz]

Reading your account brings out the vigilante in me. GRRRR!!

[Fred Mertz]

I was trying to be a wise guy. Guess I need to polish my routine or add [/sarcasm] tags at the end.

[kaboom]

How exactly did you find out that someone was trying to steal it? I ask that because it is a common practice of thieves to call you, tell you that something is wrong, ask you for confidential information to properly identify you, and then they use that information to rip you off.

[kcvl]

Identity Theft Reporting

[JHENN22499]

Sad thing is...she is still doing her thing here. I have tried to notify every legal agency, but until she has a RECORD, her rights are protected!!! Everyone needs to be aware as this is a growing situation in the US. Private health care arrangements did not help us! I thought it the best and was 2 blocks away and didn't catch it. There was absolutely no way to stop it. She had applied for approx 20-30 accounts before we knew it was happening. She was only employed for 2 months. What a racket!!! We even tried to prosecute under RICO. It wasn't worth their time and effort!!

[budwiesest]

Lots of good advice here. This happened to me once right before the holidays a couple of years ago. First an electronics store called, then a detective- wanting to know about my recent attempt to purchase an Olds Cutlass in Oakland, CA.

Don't know the outcome (had to write a letter to each credit bureau) but I still long for the day when I'll get to meet 'Tyrone' and thank him for all of the inconveniences he created (usin a fake military ID).