Identity Theft - Taking Back Your Life
Would you know what to do if your identity was stolen?
Wade Forbose is a sanitation worker who lives in Westchester. He became a victim of identity theft when he found out two fraudulent accounts were opened in his name in the Bronx. Someone had gotten hold of Wade's social security number and birth date, then opened accounts with Verizon and Direct TV. It took 6 months for Wade to find out about them from his credit report agency, but the damage had already been done. The bills were never paid, now he was being contacted by a collection agency and his credit rating dropped.
Wade was lucky because it was just his social security number and birth date that were compromised, but his case shows how easy it is to become a victim. Wade was very proactive, he contacted Verizon and Direct TV immediately and got those accounts frozen and then shut down, but it was a very long process and even though it's been cleared up , it could take one to two years before his credit rating goes back up to where it used to.
Here's what you need to do if you become a victim of identity theft.
1. Get Information: First find out exactly where your information has been compromised; social security number, birth date, credit card, bank account, driver's license, etc.
2. Financial Accounts: Close the accounts that have been tampered with or fraudulently opened. You must contact the fraud department of each company to do this. Follow up with letters that include copies of supporting documents. Always keep the original documents for yourself. Send letters via certified mail, return receipt requested, to be sure the documents were received. If the identity thief made changes or debits from your accounts, ask the company for the forms to dispute those transactions.
3. Credit Reports: Place a fraud alert on your credit report and review your credit reports. This can stop anymore fraudulent accounts being opened in your name. Contact one of the three consumer reporting companies ( Equifax, Experian & Transunion) to place a fraud alert on your credit report. Whichever one you contact will contact the other two.
4. Contact Police: File a report with your local police precinct or police department. If the police are reluctant to take your report, ask to file a "Miscellaneous Incidents" report or try another jurisdiction like your state police. A police report can help you deal with creditors who need proof of a crime and should be one of the documents that you send to them.
5. Driver's License or Government-issued ID: Contact the agency that issued the license or id document. Follow their procedures to cancel the document and get a replacement. Have the agency flag your file so another license cannot be created without your knowledge.
5. Government Intervention: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. This provides important information that can help law enforcement track down identity thieves. The FTC can refer victim's complaints to other government agencies and companies for further actions, plus investigate companies for violations.
5. Legal Help: If you find out you suddenly have a criminal record due to identity theft, you will need the assistance of a lawyer to clear your name. Contact your state bar association to learn about possible pro bono programs or other low cost legal assistance.
For more information and tips go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Comments: 11
and for ID theft prevention
1. get a paper shredder, and shred papers with sensitive info on them (bank, credit statements, letter or envelopes with address on it) when you don't need them anymore. This may be a little extreme, but better to be safe than sorry.
2. If you are an internet guy, ALWAYS pay attention of what info you put online (like in facebook). Most of the time basic info would be enough. And shop from reputable companies is safe, I did tons of shopping online. Don't give personal info to anyone unless necessarily.
3. Also, be careful of those bogus bank email saying that you got some problem with your account, and you need to login to fix it (phishing emails/sites). Or those "you won/inherited millions of dollars, all you need to do is to pay a small fee to get it" emails. They are ALL bogus, mark them as junk or spam or alike.
Hey Howard Great story,
I do wonder if the crooks had a fake ID created?, Address registered his name and a social security card? Reason I wonder is because when I order directv over the phone I had to fax a copy of this information to confirm my Identity, So can it really be that easy to rent an apartment,get an ID and Social Security Card of someone else? I don't know I lost my wallet last year it had all of personal information in it except my social security card that I actually kept hid that I couldn't even remember where. When I went to get a new one I needed ID, But in order to get an ID I need my social security card which I eventually found. I went through so much trouble to replace everything, how can it be that crooks seem to have no problem getting items issued to them? The overall system appears to be competely flawed and maybe needs a complete re-inferstruction.
Hey Howard Great story,
I do wonder if the crooks had a fake ID created?, Address registered his name and a social security card? Reason I wonder is because when I order directv over the phone I had to fax a copy of this information to confirm my Identity, So can it really be that easy to rent an apartment,get an ID and Social Security Card of someone else? I don't know I lost my wallet last year it had all of personal information in it except my social security card that I actually kept hid that I couldn't even remember where. When I went to get a new one I needed ID, But in order to get an ID I need my social security card which I eventually found. I went through so much trouble to replace everything, how can it be that crooks seem to have no problem getting items issued to them? The overall system appears to be competely flawed and maybe needs a complete re-inferstruction.
I hate this type of crime it is so personal and so damaging to a person and the kicker is it can be someone your so close to or a complete stranger. I am 25 years old and this crime first effected me when I was 22. I was gonna try and get student loans to attend a community college and I found out that I had the worst credit score and the case where from 10+ years ago. That right there were closed non-paid car payments, Phone bills, directv and other bills in my name dating back to when I was the age of 9. Never knew that companies could use such information from someone so young. Most of the action was done in the State of Flordia around the area where my mother lived. I didn't live with my mother but of course she knew my SSN ect.. She claims it wasn't her but most the charges where to the exact area she was living in and to this day I haven't cleared up 85% of the charges done in my name when I was a minor. I never did get to college, I use secure credit cards and never seem to build any credit, I can't get a loan, I can't pass a credit check for an apartment without a roommate. I have contacted Lawyers but I can't afford the fees, and tried pro-bono lawyers but it is taking forever. The companies always seem to push the case further and further back because they have the resources. This is the most hurtful crime if you ask me and offenders should get very serious punishments.
I been victim of this in two different ways, One Someone used those win a free xbox scams by completing offers, I got tons of video professor programs in the mail and nothing showed on my statement. My credit card I never used but one time for my room mate and then shredded it up cause I kept for an open line of credit. However I did get one statement after about 6 months with $900.00 charges from Video Professor however we didn't open the programs and we sent them back and got it credit it to my credit card. However I never ordered any magazines, they keep coming in my name from all over different companies but they are not on my credit card or bank statements. I checked with both companies nothing. A month ago I got a bill for $600.00 in back payment owed for the magazines. Who would have done such a weird thing?
I been victim of this in two different ways, One Someone used those win a free xbox scams by completing offers, I got tons of video professor programs in the mail and nothing showed on my statement. My credit card I never used but one time for my room mate and then shredded it up cause I kept for an open line of credit. However I did get one statement after about 6 months with $900.00 charges from Video Professor however we didn't open the programs and we sent them back and got it credit it to my credit card. However I never ordered any magazines, they keep coming in my name from all over different companies but they are not on my credit card or bank statements. I checked with both companies nothing. A month ago I got a bill for $600.00 in back payment owed for the magazines. Who would have done such a weird thing?
Ok well I haven't fell to this yet thank god, but about 2 years ago I was in Philly on Business and my Family wanted some family plans. I was shopping in the mall one day with an associate and they wanted to checkout the T-mobile store. I started talking to sales person and the family plan sounded great, I had 14 days to cancel if I had a problems or for any reason, and I was told I could return the phones to any T-mobile store. I said sounds good run my credit boom 5 mins later I was approved and didn't have to pay a cent, went to grab some lunch came back picked up my families new phones that where active and ready to use and the sales person showed me a list of stores right on the bag I could return the Phones to most 5-10 Mins from my house. I left got back to Westchester NY and Boom Service was awful none around my house, outside my Job, ect very patchy service. I called up cancelled the service and on the way home from work stopped to drop the Phones off so I wouldn't have to pay for them. Well it was discountinued Phones couldn't take them back there I tried 6 other stores and they said call T-mobile, I was told a supervisor would call me back within 24 hours. 2days go by no call, Call them back they said they would send me a box and shipping label to return them. Well next day I get the call sorry sir you will have to return them to the purchasing store, I explained the problem again and there was nothing they could do here it is day 13 6PM. I call the store they are getting ready to close and said I would have had to rush it out earlier that day and that even I send the Phones back It would still be to late. Well I called T-mobile back and Got the charge wave or so I was told. 3 Months later in comes the bill for $350.00 for 3 Phones, Called them, wrote a dispute called back and was told I was in the clear. Well nothing comesback in the mail until a year later a collection notice. I then dispute it, I call back and no one returns my calls, Just the other day I got another collection notice after disputing it countless times with no follow up. Never again will I deal with large companies sales people or trust them they are at fault for not training their sales people right and I am suppose to suffer. The only reason I got the phones is because of the information at the store.
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Hi, I was looking around for some informative posts concerning shredders and I found yours. Hope to get some more valuable knowledge like this one. I run a plastic and glass industry and need shredders for my industry.
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If your identity is stolen then you are lost ! this is common in different areas through credit card and other sources , in this regard prevention measures like shredders are important .