Identity Theft....

[nitrostarter]

Well guys, it started off as what I thought was a marketing survey. 3 days ago I was contacted by 2 department stores that are owned by the same company. They said I was being contacted to verify and order and state the word "research" when I called back. Well hell, I didn't place an order there nor have I ever shopped there. The Research part led me to think this was just a way they were trying to get me into the surveys they call you about. so I paid no attention to it.

Well yesterday and the day before I got similar phone calls from 5 more department stores that left messages saying to call about an order placed. Well red flag definitely went up this time considering I don't shop at Bloomingdales, Kohls, or Macy's just to name a few... So I took the liberty to start calling some number back, but I was doing it very cautiously in case the numbers were surveyors or frauds trying to get my information.

After wading through the bullshit, it turns out that someone has stolen my SSN and obtained the rest of my personal information, how? I don't know. This person or persons has applied for and made purchases on brand new department store charge cards using my information. And the phone calls were placed to me to try and verify the information on the cards.

So last night I called TransUnion and placed a fraud alert on my name and SSN. this is going to direct future creditors directly to me for verification on any new activity with creditors.

Now I get the joy to try calling these department stores and canceling these cards that were started and reverse the damage thats been done...

The worst and scary part is that no telling how many people have my information if it was compromised and sold on the black market. And now my credit rating could be scarred for life...

Any one have any similar experiences or information that could help me rectify my situation? I just need to get a hold of the delivery address these packages were going to be sent to and the identity theft part will be solved after I take a road trip. But my credit is something I need to get fixed!

Any help or suggestions, please let me in on!!

[reno911]

My wife and I check our credit once a year since they provide this for free. Last year somehow a local dodge dealership was on mine. I supposedly tried to finance a vehicle through them. Turns out is was someone using my information. Since then my wife and I have been super ocd on filtering our information. We shred everything, even if it only has our address on it. I have updated my computers protection ten fold, and we try to pay for most things in cash now a days. Less to worry about.

[Arct1k]

Sign up for a fraud / identity theft insurance programme...

[reno911]

See what your bank has to offer as well.

We set up our checking/visa cards so that we can only pay within a certain vicinity of our home address. We must notify our bank when leaving for vacations. I also have them on red flag anything other than a few websites and paypal. Works pretty well.

About 8 months ago, my wife had her card canceled by the bank. Someone was using her number in California to get facials and messages and such. We never noticed it until they canceled, and we look at our account online all the time. They start small, taking 5 dollars or so out, to see if you notice. Than they jump to 50-100 dollar purchases. They spent about 200 before the bank closed the card account for us.

I just don't trust anyone, and I am paranoid, so I take all the necessary steps to prevent what has happened to you.

[lincpimp]

I had my disney card info stolen and had about 500 bucks charged on it. Called up Chase, they canceled the card, waived the charges and sent me a new card in about 4 days. I only use that one card for all online purchases. Figure my info might be safer...

That does suck Cory, but if you want you can come by the house and check out all of the cool stuff I just got from Bloomingdales, Kohls, and Macys. If you want you can have some of it, especially the various women's clothes I got, no need for them (impulse buy to get free shipping) and I know you like to play dress up...

[nitrostarter]

It sucks guys! I have had my Paypal hacked by a Japanese guys, my Credit Card stolen once, and now all of my personal identity information is out there for use.

The Charge card companies are very helpful and are canceling the account with no problems. However a couple of the charges went through and packages were shipped and delivered. Those charges have to go through a claims process for unauthorized use before they will wipe it from my credit report.

I just got my free annual credit report and noted another 5 department store card applied for, 3 of which were opened and 1 of which had been charged on today!! This is crazy! So 5 more fraud department I had to call and take care of and even more paper work to get through.

It turns out that the person doing this with the Banana Republic card is a repeat offender! Go figure! They update a prior Customer ID with my info and the new charge card and made purchases as well as used the new Customer ID. Its a good thing I got the fraud department to slip and let me know that the shipping addresses of the packages are in New Orleans. Hey wait a minute, I work in New Orleans... The the fraud worker had to repeatedly remind me that the call was being monitored as I expressed feeling of hatred and anger as I made subtle hint of taking care of the suspect myself...

I guys its good to have a couple cop cousins and friends. Hopefully I can obtain the rest of that address and find out some information mafia style...

Originally Posted by lincpimp

That does suck Cory, but if you want you can come by the house and check out all of the cool stuff I just got from Bloomingdales, Kohls, and Macys. If you want you can have some of it, especially the various women's clothes I got, no need for them (impulse buy to get free shipping) and I know you like to play dress up...

Linc I asked you to stop ordering that sexy underwear I like. I have too many pairs as it is...