TravelingChris Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 We are having problems with debt collectors calling and we were wondering why this was happening since our credit is great and we don't have any debts in collection. Finally, one person called and left a message we understood and we have found out that someone applied for credit in my FIL;s name and used our phone number. Now FIL doesn't live with us and never has. We don't believe that FIL did this at all but that either one of two BILs might have done this or any of the various hangers on who seem to come to the house. If it is the BILs, FIL won't want to file a criminal complaint. However, we are very upset with the use of our phone number and we don't even know if any other personal information of ours was used. So two questions- 1) is using someone else's phone number deliberately as your own a crime and do we file a report here or there and 2) can anyone here recommend a good identity theft protection program since we think we need to enroll both of us and all of our children so these BILs or hangers-on don't get to use our identities, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 Anyone have any opinions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 I believe that it would be illegal as it constitutes fraud. If your FIL didn't apply for the credit himself, then whomever did is committing fraud and can be prosecuted for it. I think if you report it, it is not up to your FIL whether or not they go after the person, it would be in the hands of the prosecutors. I could be wrong, but I believe it is a federal offense. If it involved the U.S. Mail it certainly is a fed. offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shannatheshedevil Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Using your phone number, no; using your FIL's name and info, YES Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RanchGirl Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 If you think you know who did it, report them. In the meantime, I would (a) change my phone number and (b) put a fraud alert on my SSN with the credit reporting agencies. I would suggest your FIL do this immediately as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mynyel Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I don't know about the phone number but I know LifeLock is supposed to be good for preventing identity theft. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I don't know about the phone number but I know LifeLock is supposed to be good for preventing identity theft. :) Except that the OWNER OF LIFELOCK was a victim of identity theft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.