Identity Theft Issue-Opinions?

[Jerry Crisp]

Well I am now a victum of Identity Theft, I think I am taking all the right steps in resolving the charges on my credit card, but I would like to know who else may of had this happen to them and what you did to resolve it. I cancelled the credit card, filed a police report, put a credit alert on my credit and wrote a letter to the credit card company to dispute the charges. Any other suggestions you might have I would like to hear.



Thanks

tracnyak

 

[Fer Echegaray]

It seems you have taken the needed steps, keep an eye on your credit report for any more suspicious activities.

<a href="https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/widtpubl$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU03">File your complaint with the FTC.</a> The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.



You may have already checked the FTC website, but here's the link anyway

 

[Richard L]

Jerry,

How do you think they got your identity info? That will have a bearing on what action you need to take. However, it sounds like they only got your credit card number, which would be credit card fraud, not identity theft. And if that is the case, then you probably have done everything you need to do.



Identity theft would involve the thief getting your Social Security number and obtaining ID and credit cards in your name. If someone is using your identity to get credit and make charges in you name, then you need to contact all your credit accounts and the local police. The should be able to point you in the right direction.



...Rich

 

[Thomas Rogers]

I was going to say the same thing, RichardL, sounds more like CC fraud then identity theft; unless of course, we are lumping all such crimes (check forging, etc) these days into identify theft.



You did all the right things.



Also, do your very best to figure out exactly when, and where your credit card number was compromised. It was likely someone dumpster diving your house OR a patron or clerk/waiter grabbing a CC receipt at a store/restaurant. If you can apply some forensics (last legit use location/time), you might get some insights. Then, if you can pinpoint that down, make sure to document and send to police and CC company. Doing this will reduce your liability, and may actually allow you to figure out, roughly, how this happened and seek damages.



TJR

 

[Aaron Laake 2]

I was a fraud investigator in the Telecom industry for 2 yrs. A few notes:



- Don't get your hopes up on the police to find anything out. They will take a report on it, but most likely, they don't have the resources to look into it.



-Although this seems like just Credit Card fraud, check your credit report anyway. It would be better to catch it now than letting it go.



-Buy a shredder and shred everything.



A common misconception is that that credit info needs to be stolen from your mail or trash. It is actually a lot easier and not as messy. Example, If I worked at AnyBank USA, I can go in to their banking account system and access most customer info, including ss#, dob, address, etc. I then copy it down on a notepad and then I sell it on the street to a "fraudster" and they have a heyday with it. The fraudster could pay me $20 a pop, which could add up fast.

That is just the bank, it could go on at your insurance company, car dealership, phone company, etc.



Later,

The Hawk

 

[Dreman]

Watch your checks, too. I thought you needed a signed check to do anything, but it turns out all you need is the numbers across the bottom and you can do a check by phone.

 

[Jerry Crisp]

I thought it was credit card fraud also, but every agency that I talked to refered to it as being identity theft? I think that it must of happened from some place that I gave my credit card number to when I made a purchase online, the charges ended up being from "web hosting sites". I am firewall,virus,spam protected and only deal with secure sites I thought, but I just don't know for sure how they got my number. Thanks for all the advice, it helps to talk to real people sometimes.



tracnyak

 

[Eric Pennal]

A few years ago I was checking my credit card statement and noticed two identical charges made at the same restaurant the same day. I met with the restaurant manager and together we looked at the c.c. receipts for those charges. The first one was legitimate - being made by me at that restaurant - and the second one was signed, "signature on file". The manager said that it was not their policy to use "signature on file" as a way to accept a charge. Turns out, someone was siphoning off cash from the till by running cards twice and duplicating charges.



The lesson learned was what the others have said: Anybody can steal your c.c number anywhere, so always scrutinize your monthly statements.

 

[Bob McDonald]

Just before the '84 Olympics in L.A., I was being cleared for security to service computer equipment at the venues when one morning the local police stake out my home and swoop down on me as I go to my car to leave for work. They want to find out if I was the same guy wanted on a felony warrant from Washington State.



Turns out some guy, when he was arrested for drugs, gave my exact full name along with my correct birth date and city of birth. Since I have an unusual middle name, I found it unlikely that somebody else with my exact name would also have my exact same birthday and born in the same city (even though LA is a big place). It got my heart pumping that morning, to be sure.



The guy's description was even close to mine. I guess it was a good thing I didn't have the same scars the wanted guy had.

 

[Don Edwards]

A place you should report this identiy theft is to the credit reporting companies, exquifax, twr, and there are another couple.



Letting them know what is going on then puts your credit report on a hold type pattern questioning any credit requests by companies.



best of luck



Don

 

[Christian Postier]

ya, when i was in europe last summer, someone stole my card numbers, about 2 months later i got charged like 3000 from a jewlry store in a country i never even visited there, the bank called me and asked if i had the card. I did have the card, but supposely the jewlry store said that the person that used the card had an ID the same as me and the card itself.



It took a lot of time before i saw the money back into my account

 

[Marsha Walker]

As of Sept.1 you can get one free credit report from each of the three reporting agencies. I recommend getting one every four months, rotating between each agency and keeping tabs on your own credit rating and account activities. Marsha

 

[Shawn Hennessy]

A common misconception is that that credit info needs to be stolen from your mail or trash. It is actually a lot easier and not as messy. Example, If I worked at AnyBank USA, I can go in to their banking account system and access most customer info, including ss#, dob, address, etc. I then copy it down on a notepad and then I sell it on the street to a "fraudster" and they have a heyday with it. The fraudster could pay me $20 a pop, which could add up fast.

That is just the bank, it could go on at your insurance company, car dealership, phone company, etc.

This is actually more difficult to get away with than you think. I work for a bank and the technology exists that all inquiries into a customer's account are logged. All employees with this access are accountable for every transaction or account access they make. This would be the first place our investigative resources would turn. My Bank isn't the only one with this technology. It is widely adopted throughout the industry.

 

[steve twyver]

Go on the internet and get the phone number for Experian. Call in your information via their voice activated system and report your card as suspected fraudulent usage. The voice asks you a bunch of personal stuff such as home address, social security number etc. This will put a 90 day credit alert on you records so that no one can get credit without written authorization. You also get a free credit report as a result of reporting a fraud.



In Experian's free credit report there are directions on how to lock down your credit information permanently. It costs $10.00 and you have to send in the request via certified mail along with two billing statements with your address on it - such as phone or electric bill. This lockdown prevents almost anyone from looking at your credit info. The only downside is that if you apply for credit or a loan, you will be denied unless you first go to the website and authorize that particular person. Experian gives you a secret code that enter via their website to permit a single potential creditor authorization to view your records. I recommend this for everyone and it totally stops the nonsense. I **believe** that doing this with one credit agency is enough but I don't know this for sure.