HELP! Identity stolen.

[Kathryn]

Just got the mail with a Dillard's American Express card in my name and a bill from Verizon for setting up phone service (with 3 phone numbers). What do I do??? Freaking out.

[Pawz4me]

I'm not an expert at all, but I think the first thing you need to do is freeze your credit. Immediately. I think if you Google your state name and "how to freeze credit" you should get the info you need.

[TammyinTN]

Yes..you need to shut everything down and fast. 

 

[TechWife]

Freeze your credit (call the credit reporting places) and call your local police department's non-emergency line and ask how to file a report. The credit card companies will want you to do that. Then, call the places you received bills from, explain what happened and make sure the service is cancelled. Ask them what you need to do to get the charges out of your name. 

[StephanieZ]

You can contact the credit agencies and talk to them about freezing your credit and making it harder to steal. I did that once as a precautionary measure. It made it hard (impossible, lol) to spur-of-the-moment apply for a store credit card, but it for sure is worth it.

 

I'd pull all 3 credit agencies reports, contact all 3 agencies to "freeze" your credit and report the breach of security and ask how they can help you, and contact OF COURSE those creditors who you already know about . . . It's gonna' be a PT job for weeks/months. The more you do right NOW the less work you'll have later . . .

 

Change ALL your passwords, shut down any non-essential accounts, only use very secure computers to access online accounts. Start checking your accounts daily (credit, bank, etc.) Many accounts allow multiple levels of security . . . I have a thing with my investment bank that they text me a code every time I try to log in, and I have to enter that code to log in . . . While changing all your passwords, do everything you can to double/triple secure each account. Change all those passwords each week for a while until you have figured this out. 

[StephanieZ]

ps. You can get free credit reports (more than the one free per year) to check on this because of the identity theft. Be sure to tell the agencies what has happened, so you don't needlessly pay for credit reports. 

[JumpyTheFrog]

Anyone reading this who hasn't already frozen their credit: Do it before identity theft happens to you.

Edited July 29, 2016 by HoppyTheToad

[zoobie]

http://www.clark.com/identity-theft-guide

 

What a nightmare. I'm sorry. :(

[Kathryn]

If I put a freeze on my credit, can i still see my reports? I looked at Equifax and Experian, can't get on Transunion. There is a Sam's Club card with almost $5000 on it also. There are also inquiries from Victoria's Secret and Macy's.

 

I can't get a real live person on the phone at any of the three credit agencies. I filed police report, fraud alert with credit agencies (through Equifax and they contact other two), and identity theft affidavit with FTC. I contacted Dillard's and Verizon. I can't get anyone on the phone at the credit agencies to answer my questions about viewing credit reports for free after the annual free one and whether I'll still have access to my report to see what's happening if I freeze it.

[Kathryn]

Okay, I froze all three.

 

Next, try to find how to get my reports for free? I can't dispute stuff until I get a copy of the police report which can take up to 3 business days.

[Liz CA]

http://www.clark.com/identity-theft-guide

 

What a nightmare. I'm sorry. :(

 

Follow Clark Howard's guidelines exactly. He knows his stuff. You will be okay.

[mamiof5]

What a mess. I'm sorry :(

[Night Elf]

Your home owners insurance might include identify theft assistance as part of your policy. You should check on that. Mine does.

[Kathryn]

Finally was able to see the Transunion report. There were also two inquiries by T-Mobile. The first had an address in Katy, TX, the second had my address but with a phone number from an address ten years ago. The Transunion report also said *I* accessed my credit report on July 7 (I did not). All the inquiries and charges I know about so far happened on 07/21 and 07/22.

 

FYI the deputy who came to the house said just yesterday (the day I filed the report), he arrested a guy from GA with the ID and Fake SS card of a man from CO who knew the guy had an account at Wells Fargo and was going around trying to get money from the guy's account at different WF locations (and successful at some). He told him that he got the information from a guy he talked to on an app.

[Lanny]

The FIRST thing I would do would be to call American Express, or the bank that issued the credit card, and explain this to their Fraud Department. Then, I would take whatever other measures they suggest.