Apparently I had left something in my garbage that gave the identity thieves enough info to put something together, as a few weeks later I tried to use my ATM card and was denied, stating some reason or other (I don't remember). It was a really embarassing moment but I was fortunate enough to get the problem fixed right away by staying on top of the clean up process.
The second time I have no idea how it happened, as I was cross shredding everything before throwing it away. It's quite possible the thieves laid low for a few months and used the same information to put together a new identity. As I understand it, the process can be repeated and repeated.
If it happens again I can get a new social security number if I want.
For help on identity theft, checkout:
If you do become a victim of identity theft, the FTC runs a toll-free hotline, 877-438-4338, that offers guidance on how to deal with it, including these first three steps to take.
The first step is to contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus--Equifax, Experian and Trans Union--so they can place a fraud alert on your file. This can prevent a con artist from opening new accounts in your name.
Next, contact all the companies with which you have accounts, whether it's credit card companies, utilities, banks or other lenders.
And third, file a police report.
Oh yeah... before I forget... my neighbor worked as a garbage man for 30 years and when I told him about it all, he just laughed and said I should have mentioned it to him the day it happened. He said things like that happen all the time. He also said, and this really bothers me, that law enforcement will sometimes ask him to pick up somebody's garbage can and dump it where they can go through it without detection.