Let it Flow

Think identity theft or credit card fraud can’t happen to you? I thought so, too. Today I beg you to think again. Over the weekend I learned that I am the victim of credit card fraud. Talk about stress.

HOW I FOUND OUT
I was getting repeat calls from what I believed to be a telemarketer claiming to be collecting a debt. Skeptic that I am, I thought for sure that call was a scam in itself so I never called back. It was always a sketchy message with no name, no company name, just an 877 phone number. I’ve heard too many stories, so I figured I’d wait until I actually caught them on the phone “live”. On Friday they did leave me a message this time with a debt collection company name. This was so strange to me because I am 100% confident that I have no outstanding debts!

I decided to Google the name and phone number. Sure enough I found what appeared to be a legitimate website for this debt collection agency who had been calling me for a week or two. Michael sent them an email before I even had a chance to respond (he’s been on a “do not call list” kick). They called back and we weren’t home. We returned the call yesterday. They collected basic information from me including name, DOB, social and that’s when I learned that in September 2007 someone had opened an account in my name, under my social and charged up $2633. She also told me about an address and town listed on my credit report that I’m not familiar with at all.

The woman on the phone even expressed her surprise and belief in my story. “According to your report you pay all of your bills on time and in full. I believe you.” If only that’s all it took to clear my credit report!

INITIAL RESPONSE
I couldn’t believe this was happening. My wallet was never stolen, I shred documents, keep things safe, and never share passwords with anyone. I take all the precautions or so I thought. This all went down just after I came home from yoga, so I was still “peaceful” and trying hard to keep the peace, internally anyway. Initially I was afraid, then desperately angry (as shown by my outburst physically and verbally at the computer screen when we found through Google Maps my apparent “new” address and spotted the house.) then (and this I’m sure is the yoga talking) saddened. Saddened that someone has such disrespect for fellow human beings to do things like this. Deep breaths, I kept reminding myself.

SO WHAT DID I DO?
Well, first I kindly asked Michael to calm down. The tone of his voice (not at me, simply because he was upset) was creating some anxious feelings in me. This would not help me, I told him. He stopped and just went on helping in any other way he could.

Then I took some more deep breaths to stay focused on the task - clearing my name. I am not lying when I say the deep breaths worked. Here are the legal/security steps I took:

• Download credit report - From www.freecreditreport.com and learned that I did in fact have a “new” address and outstanding debt on a credit card I never opened.
• Trip to local police station - per suggestion of debt collector and filed a fraud report to be faxed back to debt collector to help clear my name on the credit report. (note: this has not yet hurt my credit, but waiting any longer and it will)
• Filed ID theft report on FTC website - Submitted via email with information about my fraud report. This information is submitted to FTC and supposedly they will contact me. Can also be used with police report to debt collector.
• Place security alert on my credit report - For 90 days no one can access my credit report. I don’t know what happens after 90 days.
• Additional measures - I will be canceling cards and/or requesting new card numbers and contacting Social security to see if a new SS# is in order. I don’t know if that’s necessary or if they’ll do it.

BOTTOM LINE
I never in a million years imagined that this would happen to me. I feel so violated. I hope whoever did this gets caught, but based on what the local police said, that may never happen. I’m happy the damage wasn’t worse - there could be a new mortgage or car on my credit report and then maybe I wouldn’t be so calm.

I took all the steps recommended by the FTC and can feel good about my ability to act instead of letting this situation get the best of me. Emotionally I was down - how could I not be? But I’m not staying there, I’m taking appropriate action in order to do the best I can do. Time will tell and my hope is that my credit report is cleared and I don’t have to spend a lot of extra time on this. At the end of the day it’s scary and a really big inconvenience.

When was the last time you checked your credit report? Consider this part of your personal financial wellness plan and manage it. There are three main companies and we are all entitled to 1 free report, per company, per year. At least that’s what I was told. And it has now been suggested to me to check my credit once every 4 months (1 report from 1 company, 3 times per year). After this incident, you bet I will be checking as often as I possibly can.

To access your report check out

Experian
TransUnion
Equifax

You can also get access through freecreditreport.com or contact the Federal Trade Commission for information.

Have you ever been a victim of identity theft or credit card fraud? How did you respond? If I missed any steps, I want to know!

Tags: Miscellaneous Wellness, Stress //