Identity theft

[Pinot's Mom]

Actually, one of the things it could be is something you threw away. Coop has always been adamant that we rip up the applications credit card companies send because all your information is on that and all you have to do is sign and send back. If they're clever, they can watch the mail and get the card when it's sent back.

[catnapper]

I hope it is nothing but a bit of confusion. People need to be REAL careful these days. I was telling my husband tonight that a custoemr of mine asked me to run their credit through for them over the phone. they gave me their Social Security number, birthdate, address, income, etc. How do they know they can trust me?!?! How can I trust them? I had them come in today with ID to verify everything they told me, but still.....

I hate giving out ANY part of my Social. like when I'm at the doctor's office and they ask for the last 4 numbers. I use different passwords for different accounts. It gets confusing, but I'd rather be confused than scammed. Besides, I live in a constant stae of confusion

[pomtzu]

Actually, one of the things it could be is something you threw away. Coop has always been adamant that we rip up the applications credit card companies send because all your information is on that and all you have to do is sign and send back. If they're clever, they can watch the mail and get the card when it's sent back.

Nothing just gets thrown away in this house. Anything with name and/or address goes thru the shredder or gets a big swipe of a black permanent marker. If it's still readable thru the marker like some are, then it goes to the shredder. I just hate this junk mail. Not only do you have to worry about info on the envelope, but they plaster your name/info on every darn page that's in the envelope. The same with sale magazines. I check everything before it gets trashed.

[smokey the elder]

Wow, that is a hassle but it sounds like you caught it before it could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars. I'm thinking of using a password keeper program, but so far I've been able to keep my passwords straight in my head!

[Freedom]

Ellie, I mentioned this thread to a friend. She said most police depts now have someone who works on this sort of thing. A call to them may give you more ideas of what steps to take. Can't hurt!

[pomtzu]

Ellie, I mentioned this thread to a friend. She said most police depts now have someone who works on this sort of thing. A call to them may give you more ideas of what steps to take. Can't hurt!

Thanks. That's a good idea - I'll check it out.

I notified the 3 credit reporting agencies this a.m. and I have a 90 day temporary fraud alert on my name. With this, I would be notified by any company that received a request for credit in my name, before anything is approved. Before the 90 days expires I can send in paperwork with all kinds of info (like photo i.d., etc), and the alert will be extended and in effect for 7 years. You'd better believe that I'll do that! I have better things to do with my time, than all of this preventative maintenance, changing all passwords, making phone calls - all to cover my backside from crooks!!!

[sparks19]

We signed up with life Lock. Nothing gets approved without us getting a phone call about it. Cut down a lot on the "You've been pre approved" offers that come in the mail too. We mostly got it because of Hannah. children's SS# are notorious for getting stolen since they won't know anything of it until they are 18 and try to apply for anything and WHAM... terrible credit and tons of fraud.

[pomtzu]

We signed up with life Lock. Nothing gets approved without us getting a phone call about it.

Putting the fraud alert on you name and SS# with the credit reporting bureaus does the same thing - and it doesn't cost anything!