Identity Theft

MichelleW Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:02 AM

Identity Theft

I need some help for my sister. She went to rent an apartment and her credit report came back horrible. It is obvious that her identity was stolen, I'm talking mortgage defaults, car loans, credit cards etc..most of which was done in California. She's never been there

Does anyone know what the first step is

Thanks

Jodi73 Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:03 AM

Re: Identity Theft

OMG, I am sorry I do not know who to tell you to call, but best of luck with it, I hope everything gets taken care of ASAP

Misty Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:08 AM

Re: Identity Theft

Oh gosh. She has to contact all three credit reporting agencies ASAP. TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian and have them flag her account.

She also has to file a police report immediately.

curly2003 Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:14 AM

Re: Identity Theft

I can't offer to much help but I know that she can have a fraud alert placed on her creidt report stating her identity was stolen and that she needs to be personally contacted in each case that credit needs to be extended using her ssn. Good Luck!!!

Claud2001 Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:17 AM

Re: Identity Theft

Along with filing a police report, I would consult a very good attorney. Good luck - this is so scary!

Anniegrl Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:17 AM

Re: Identity Theft

I believe NBC is doing a story on identity theft at 4:00 today.

Nanjoe Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:31 AM

Re: Identity Theft

OMG....Michelle that is horrible. I would say to contact an attorney and ask where to begin.

I'm so sorry that this is happening to her. Please keep us posted.

Valenia Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:34 AM

Re: Identity Theft

Ugh!!!

Heres a government link that I hope you find helpful:

http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/victim.htm

nylisa Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:40 AM

Re: Identity Theft

Michelle, she needs to do exactly what Misty mentioned. This happened to me twice so I know exactly what she is going through. Just make sure that she checks all her credit reports from all three bureaus and calls right away about anything on them that does not belong to her. This process might take awhile but once it is done, everything should be taken care of. If he have any questions about this (since I feel like a pro with this problem), send me a forum.

KarenK122 Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:42 AM

Re: Identity Theft

Actually this just happened to my parents when they were going to refinance. They had my mom's name for defaulting on phone bills, car bills and other stuff all down in Florida. It was a real pain in the a$$ and they had to contact each person on the credit report and file fraud reports. Once the company investigated the fraud they then took it off the credit report. It takes a long time. Good luck

eroxgirl Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:56 AM

Re: Identity Theft

This happened to my best friend several years ago...the person got a New Jersey drivers license in her name and went to town cashing bad checks against her checking account!!

Follow Mistyeyed's advice and call those credit companies immediately!!

Sorry this happened to your sister!

Fran M Posted: Jan 31, 2003 12:08 PM

Re: Identity Theft

Oh that is terrible.
Dont forget Social Security and DMV. She needs to alter them ASAP. She should also request a SS statement. She doesent want anyone claiming disability or retirement benefits from her account.

Misty Posted: Jan 31, 2003 12:15 PM

Re: Identity Theft

She won't be able to alter her ss#. This is the one thing that ****s about identity theft. The easiest thing would be to change that number..but they don't allow it.

Definitely contact the DMV to see if there are any tickets in her name also. FH dad went through this, he's still getting coupons in the mail from all the stores they opened credit cards with. But it will be worked out don't worry.

MichelleW Posted: Jan 31, 2003 12:19 PM

Re: Identity Theft

Ladies,

A BIG THANK YOU for your help she has contacted the police to file a report and I just faxed her the info from the website Valenia listed

Cira Posted: Jan 31, 2003 12:27 PM

Re: Identity Theft

I hope it all works out for her. That's horrible! I hate it ... we just need to be careful of everything!!!!

Jenn P Posted: Jan 31, 2003 02:15 PM

Re: Identity Theft

I have nothing to add to what the other ladies have said but I wanted to say I'm so sorry this happened and wish her luck. My mom's wallet just got stolen and I know it can be such a devastating experience. On top of the money problems you feel violated.

I second Claud's advice to get an attorney, though. I suspect she might need one. Keep us posted.

Samanthas Mom Posted: Jan 31, 2003 02:26 PM

Re: Identity Theft

MICHELLE, SO SORRY TO HEAR THAT! CHECK the news websites like channel 4, 11, 7, they had stories on this so you might find stuff there

balilove Posted: Jan 31, 2003 11:52 PM

Re: Identity Theft

Michelle, I'm sorry to hear about this I hope it all works out for her. Someone may not have stolen her identity per se but the credit bureas may have linked her credit with some elses. These agencies share info which is often erroneous. There can be a person in California that has the same name as your sister and a credit company looking for her pulled reports on all the people with similar names. I had this happen to me it took a year to straighten out. I was livid. Since then I request a copy of my credit report from the big three agencies once a year. Everyone should get in the habit of doing this because until you check your reports you have no idea if they are accurate.
I hope everything can be straightened out for your sister.

BTW, the way she can prove the accounts are not her's are the signature on the applications---the companies can pull the applications to verify signatures.

ILT1221 Posted: Feb 01, 2003 12:00 AM

Re: Identity Theft

I'm so sorry to hear that happened to your sister. That is so scary. Maybe her credit card companies can refer her to an investigator/fraud inspector? The credit card companies want their money no matter what the charges...so they may known the name of someone who can help? Just a thought.