Have IDENTITY THEFT problem....HELP

[Fishhead]

For the last 6 months, somebody has obtained my SS# as well as my address and am being hit with major after major identity theft issues.

Just for starters, have been hit with...........

$2,000 in CC charges

$2000 in Federal Express charges

$3000+ in cellular charges from Verizon

All of been clearded and proven to be identity theft, but more trouble is on the horizon for sure.

WHAT DO ANY OF YOU RECOMMEND DOING TO HELP solve the issue.

Have filed police reports and am checking my credit report on a monthly basis for starters.

Thanks, any advice is GREATLY appreciated........what a mess!

PS- It is my own fault, as 5 months ago i foolishly feLL for a spam email requesting my SS#............STUPID, STUPID.

 

[TheGeneral+]

http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

http://www.identity-theft-help.us/

Some info to be read here.

Fish, we have more problems than a drug addict in a pharmacy. :drink:

 

[bookie]

Try this one too:

http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/identity_theft_victim.html

 

[Fishhead]

Have A++ credit and would hate to lose that after establishing it over the years by not missing a bill my entire lifetime and having stood good on numerous large loans over my lifetime.

Some have suggested that i may have to get a new SS#, but that i feel will be last resort.

SAD stuff here in mudville.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AT ALL TIMES..........EXPECIALLY SS#.

 

[Fishhead]

Apologize for bringing such a dreary issue to the forums, but i know there are many sharpies here that can offer advice on a serious topic....................that may help others in the future too avoid this.

 

[Glaken]

Make sure you have a Fraud Alert with all three Credit Bureaus and buy a cross-cut shredder. You should also check your reports for bank inquiries, if you find any this person may have opened a checking account in your name; that is a serious problem. Make sure you keep a copy of all info and police reports in your glove box in the car.

All above info is great.

Good Luck, G

 

[Fishhead]

Great info so far..............thanks to all very much!

 

[BaseballGuy]

WHAT DO ANY OF YOU RECOMMEND DOING TO HELP solve the issue.

You could have a sex change operation and change your name to Fishita.


Seriously, you have done all you can do. Just obtain your credit report every month and make sure to look it over for any discrepencies.

 

[MadCapper]

you will have to fill out plenty of forms.

 

[WildBill]

I read 90% of the time it isnt even preventable. I know a guy that has insane problems, but by acting early everyone knows and it hasn't hurt him yet. Get this, the guy that took his identity even GOT MARRIED under his name! Almost too funny cause this guy is as confirmed a bachelor as there ever will be.

I have heard the scary stories though of people getting arrested and held for days thanks to identity theft. The financial stuff sucks, but mostly can be cleaned up. When criminal stuff starts showing up then it is big trouble.

 

[blueedwards]

fish just curious, how did you find out someone stole your identity? did you get a $3,000 bill from verizon?

 

[Fishhead]

fish just curious, how did you find out someone stole your identity? did you get a $3,000 bill from verizon?

Yes, first found charges on CC...........then got bills from fed ex and verizon in mail.

Three today totaling over 2 grand.

 

[blueedwards]

so, they have not only your ssn but your address as well...not good.

 

[Fishhead]

so, they have not only your ssn but your address as well...not good.

May have to move!

 

[Jarbo]

I have had some experience with this, but not to your extent Fish. I would suggest all new Credit Cards, Checking accounts etc. I know this is a pain but it allows you to draw a line in the sand for fraudulent vs. legitimate items.


Unforunately this will haunt you for some time. It's been over a year for me and I am still getting stuff from collection agencies. The best thing you did was file the Police Report, refer all inquiries to report.

Best of luck.

 

[The Guesser]

Putting Fraud alerts with the Credit Agencies is mandatory. Also contact the post office if you suspect mail may be being stolen. Also, put a new password on all credit cards and phone type accounts. The crooks likely have your mothers maiden name, and other info you normally give on a credit application, so change it to something not on there, that only you would know. Also, if it keeps happenning, you might want to contact the Secret Service. They get involved if the amount is large enough.
It's a nightmare. It happenned to me a few years ago, and kept on popping up for a couple of years. Among other things, someone in my building was breaking into my mailbox and using my new credit cards before I got them. The CC companies are very lax. Even though they say you must activate from your home phone, they give some "emergency" credit before activation, at least some of them. Haven't had a problem since 2002 luckily.

 

[ppeter]

A friend of mine in the military recently had his top secret background check application stolen from his car. Talk about an ID theft nightmare waiting to happen, that form had every single detail of the guys life printed on it, from his SSN, to his mothers maiden name, his credit information, everywhere he has ever lived, etc. etc.

 

[SportSavant]

OMG....

You replied to an email SPAM with your SS#?

not very SHARP....

sorry to hear that.... good luck

 

[Fishhead]

OMG....

You replied to an email SPAM with your SS#?

not very SHARP....

sorry to hear that.... good luck

Yea, thought it was from ebay wanting information to update my account............and obviously it wasnt.

 

[SportSavant]

Everyone Note:

No Legitimate Company Will Ever Ask You To Send Private Information Through An Email... Ever... Ever....