Identity Theft

**Marilyn** · 12-05-2005, 08:41 PM

Re: Identity Theft

Nina
I am sorry this happened to you. I opened my American express bill once to find that I had flown from Philly to Las Vegas and stayed at the Ventian room for several days. I've never been to Vegas.

Then there was the time several people's phone bills were paid out of my checking account to the tune of 600.00. I know how you feel.

**BND1999** · 12-05-2005, 08:46 PM

Re: Identity Theft

Thanks Marilyn... im so darn exhausted.. thought i'd be in and out of the bank... it was 4 hours or more.. so many calls.. and im not done yet.... its really much more serious than i could imagine......

ill feel better when my computer is secured....

they charged electronics... shoes... who knows what else.. ill see when the bill comes..

**blackberryrain** · 12-05-2005, 08:51 PM

Re: Identity Theft

Jeez, I hate to hear that this happened to you. It's one of my biggest fears. I've seen one of my friends go thru something similar (somebody stole the wallet out of her purse at church while she was helping set up communion). It happened over a year ago and she's just now getting the whole mess resolved (her thief wrote a bunch of checks).

I can't imagine how violated you feel. I hope you get to the bottom of how it happened, and that everything is straightened out SOON.

**Marilyn** · 12-05-2005, 09:01 PM

Re: Identity Theft

They say it is awfully tough to get it all straight. My poor mother fell down in a parking lot and the "good samaratain" who helped her up took her amaco card and charged up 800.00 on it.

**Rose** · 12-05-2005, 09:10 PM

Re: Identity Theft

((Nina)) So sorry to hear of that happening to you. I went through that a couple years ago when my Dad was so ill. Our thief was a family member with a substance issue who stole my father's identity(some checks, credit cards, etc). It was a real mess and took months to sort through.

Here's some information which may be helpful to you (if you haven't done so already) or others in similar situations. Put a Fraud Alert on your accounts. I contacted all three; Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax and they were very helpful as I recall. Hope things work out ok for you.[img]/forums/images/graemlins/70384-praying.gif[/img]

Fraud Contact Information

Use the numbers on this page to contact the different private and public agencies about fraud. Especially important are the credit bureaus. Asking them to put a "fraud alert" on your credit file should slow down anyone trying to open more credit in your name.

Credit Bureau Fraud Departments

TransUnion
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
Phone: 800-680-7289
Fax: 714-447-6034

P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634-6790

Equifax
Consumer Fraud Division
Phone: 800-525-6285 or: 404-885-8000
Fax: 770-375-2821

P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian
Experian's National Consumer Assistance
Phone: 888-397-3742

P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013

Government agencies

Federal Trade Commission
Phone: 877-438-4338

U.S. Postal Inspection Service
www.usps.com/postalinspectors

Social Security Administration
Phone: 800-772-1213

Checks

To report the fraudulent use of your checks:

Check Rite
Phone: 800-766-2748

Chex Systems
Phone: 800-328-5121

CrossCheck
Phone: 800 552-1900

Equifax-Telecredit
Phone: 800-437-5120

NPC
Phone: 800-526-5380

SCAN
Phone: 800-262-7771

Tele-Check
Phone: 800 366-2425

**Night Nurse** · 12-05-2005, 09:16 PM

Re: Identity Theft

[ QUOTE ]
I've seen one of my friends go thru something similar (somebody stole the wallet out of her purse at church while she was helping set up communion). It happened over a year ago and she's just now getting the whole mess resolved (her thief wrote a bunch of checks).

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/70384-praying.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70384-praying.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70384-praying.gif[/img] Jeezas Peace.

**Rose** · 12-05-2005, 09:18 PM

Re: Identity Theft

Here's more detailed information that may be helpful. I copied it from fightidentitytheft.com.

Think You're Already a Victim? Follow These Seven Steps.

If you suspect ANY improper or illegal activity is taking place, follow these seven steps immediately:
Check Your Credit Report
Get a copy of your credit report to see if any new accounts or credit inquiries show up. Virtually all of your credit information is in your credit report. If someone is opening accounts in your name, it should show up there.

If you suspect you've been a victim of fraud (for example; you've had your mail stolen, lost your wallet, or been contacted by a collection agency for an account you've never heard of), you should contact the fraud department for each bureau. You are eligible for a free credit report sent via U.S. mail.

Place a Fraud Alert
Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus and report that you think your identity has been stolen. Ask that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.

If you're a resident of California, you can also apply to "freeze" your credit.

Start Your Research
Contact each company where you think you might have been a victim. Talk to their security or fraud department and explain what has happened. Review your account with them for any incorrect charges or a change of address. If you find something is wrong, you may need to close the account. If you open any new accounts, ask the company to put passwords (not your mother’s maiden name) on the account.

The Federal Trade Commission has tried to make this process easier by creating an Identity Theft Affidavit. It's a document you can fill out once and use with each company investigation. Get it here (you will need a web plug-in called Adobe Acrobat), or go to the FTC web site to learn more.

File a Police Report
File a report with your local police or the police where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report in case the bank, credit card company, or others need proof of the crime later on. Also, make sure that the crime is reported under identity theft.

Document Everything
Make notes of everyone you speak with; ask for names, department names, phone extensions; record the date you spoke to them. Don't throw these notes away! Keep all notes and letters together in case they are needed in the future. Keep track of the time you spend documenting this information and lost hours at work. You will need this information if the perpetrator is ever caught. You can be reimbursed for the time spent and hours lost. One person I know reclaimed $3200 for her effort!

Talk to the Government Agencies

The Federal Trade Commission

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. Although the FTC does not have the authority to bring criminal cases, the Commission assists victims of identity theft by providing them with information to help them resolve the financial and other problems that can result from identity theft. The FTC also may refer victim complaints to other appropriate government agencies and private organizations for further action.

If you're see that you're a victim of identity theft, you can file a complaint with the FTC by contacting their hotline.

By phone:
Toll-free 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TDD: 202-326-2502

By mail:
Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20580

Online:
Online ID Theft Complaint Form

The Post Office

Contact your local office of the Postal Inspection Service if you suspect that an identity thief has submitted a change-of-address form with the Post Office to redirect your mail, or has used the mail to commit frauds involving your identity.

The Social Security Administration

Contact the Social Security Administration with any allegations that involve the following:

- Buying and selling of counterfeit or legitimate SSN cards.
- Misuse involving people with links to terrorist groups or activities.
- Misuse of an SSN by someone else to obtain Social Security benefits.

The Internal Revenue Service

Contact the Internal Revenue Service If you suspect the improper use of identification information in connection with tax violations (call 1-800-829-0433 to report the violations).

Talk to the Check Verification Companies
If someone is using checks they've stolen from you or has set up a bank account in your name, contact the major check verification companies. In particular, if you know that a particular merchant has received a check stolen from you, contact the verification company that the merchant uses.

Is Identity Theft Going to Cost You?

It clearly is going to cost you time and money to clear up. But your liability for charges can be limited if you report any problems promptly. Here's the info:

Credit Cards

If you report the loss before the credit card is used, the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized charges. If a thief uses your credit card before you report it missing, the most you will owe for unauthorized charges is $50 per card. This is true even if the thief uses your credit card at an ATM machine to obtain a cash advance.

As your liability is limited to $50, beware of calls from telemarketers selling "loss protection" insurance. Some telemarketers may falsely claim that you will be responsible for all unauthorized charges made against your account if your credit card is stolen. Don’t buy the pitch and don’t buy the unnecessary insurance.

How to Contact Visa, MasterCard, and American Express
Visa - (800) 847-2911
Mastercard - (800) MC-ASSIST
American Express - (800) 554-AMEX

ATM and Debit Cards
Be aware that ATM and debit cards do not allow the same protections as credit cards. If you fail to report unauthorized charges within a timely manner, you could be held liable for the charges.

* If you report an ATM or debit card missing before it is used without your permission, your financial institution cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized withdrawals.
* If you report your ATM or debit card lost or stolen within two business days of discovering the loss or theft, your liability is limited to $50.
* If you report your ATM or debit card lost or stolen after the two business days, but within 60 days after a statement showing an unauthorized withdrawal, you can be liable for up to $500 of what a thief withdraws.
* If you wait more than 60 days, you could lose all the money that was taken from your account after the end of the 60 days and before you report the card missing.

Checks
Most states hold the bank responsible for the losses from a forged check. However, you may be held liable for the forgery if you do not notify the bank in a timely manner that a check was lost or stolen, or if you do not monitor your account statements and promptly report an unauthorized transaction. Contact the major check verification companies to request that they notify retailers using their databases not to accept the lost or stolen checks, or ask your bank to notify the check verification service with which it does business.

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Also, this link to the FTC can be useful: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/...reereports.htm

**BND1999** · 12-05-2005, 09:55 PM

Re: Identity Theft

(((rose))) ill read this tomorrow.. eyes closing.. from it all.. i called Social Security and Equifax.. who is supposed to contact the others.. ill do it tomorrow.....

**kia027** · 12-05-2005, 10:32 PM

Re: Identity Theft

((((BND1999))))

**Green_Biscuit** · 12-05-2005, 10:49 PM

Re: Identity Theft

Arrrgghhh....I typed a long response, and my connection hung and dropped before I realized, so, I lost it. Hate when that happens. Here's the gist, I hope.....

Rose, that was very nice of you to post all of that info, and I plan to review it with my husband. We do tons of online transactions, and Nina's experience has scared me silly.

Marilyn and BBRain, I am sorry that you have both dealt with this as well....I am constantly assuring older people it is safe, don't worry....

((((((Nina)))))) you know

**halfwaytree** · 12-06-2005, 07:20 AM

Re: Identity Theft

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Nina

I feel like getting rid of all my credit and bank cards and cheques and just going to the bank the old fashioned way to withdraw cash only. If I need to pay for something thru the mail I'll get a money order made up. This is scary!

Thaks for posting Nina.

**QK13** · 12-06-2005, 07:44 AM

Re: Identity Theft

At this point if someone stole my identity, they'd be payin me to take it back. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70400-talktohand.gif[/img]

Hope it all gets straightened out. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70384-praying.gif[/img]

**halfwaytree** · 12-06-2005, 07:49 AM

Re: Identity Theft

[ QUOTE ]
At this point if someone stole my identity, they'd be payin me to take it back. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70400-talktohand.gif[/img]

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

**grandma2** · 12-06-2005, 08:38 AM

Re: Identity Theft

(((BND))) so sorry this happened to yu girl an yes it tek years...well ova ya....fi yu fi get it all back together, happened to mi once,they even was working with mi id...my nephew in law had to pay back lots,because he never reported his wallet stolen,he knew all his numbers....someone was working and fileing income tax just like he was [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Identity Theft

Identity Theft

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