Identity Theft - NVR
Posted by Anonymous on Jun 12, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
I just need a place to vent (sorry).
I just found out that my identity has been stolen! &^%&*$^*&@Y(*Y#WJBK!!!!!!!!!!&^%$^(*&^@!!!!!!!
I think I may know who did it too. My ex-boyfriend's ex-stepmother....from 5 years ago. WTF!?!?! People suck, I hate people!!! (Except you guys)
Not something I ever wanted to deal with. Has this happened to anyone else? And if so, please tell me I can get through it and fix everything before I get so pissed off that I hurt someone.
It happened to me. I never lost or let anybody use my credit or ATM cards, or gave out my bank account information. Yet someone (likely using one of those personal card swipers that can code your card information when you make a purchase) managed to duplicate my ATM card and make the maximum daily withdrawals from my bank account.
I didn't notice this until I got my bank statement. Already feeling scared, robbed and violated, when I went to report this to my bank, the rep spoke to me in a condescending, accusatory tone alleging that someone close to me must of taken it. Not even admiting that they should have red flagged this unusual pattern of daily withdrawals from banks up and down the coast. I had to fight to get all my money back. Not long after I read in a major newspaper that what happened to me was more common than I thought. The columnist who wrote the story and many that he interviewed experienced almost exactly the same thing as me with the same bank.
I don't know the extent of your damage. But if there was any money gutted from any of your accounts, fight tooth and nail until you get it all back. File a police report. Close all your accounts immediately. Start a new account at a different bank.
Go ahead and vent. I did. I got through it. And you will too.
Geez, Lauren. I'm sorry that happened.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//
Go to the above Government (Federal Trade Commission) website - it is very good and will walk you through what to do.
Credit Card companies usually do this, even if you don't sign up for anything special. I never use my ATM/debit card for purchases because any money taken out (legally or illegally) comes directly from my bank account, with no cushion of a third party for protection. Credit cards are much safer to use because in addition to protecting your bank assets, you have the card issuer as a real advocate - and every card I've ever had has been great about this. In fact, I just had a disputed charge resolved recently.
Several times, credit card companies have put my account on hold and called me when there have been large purchases or strange activity. The funniest was when I was traveling. I used my card to buy gas in the morning in podunk, TX and that evening, I used it again to buy food at a café in Paris. lol...They didn't know what to make of that!
They really like it if you call them from home a few days before your trip and let them know exactly where you'll be and when. It's nice, because that way your card doesn't get frozen against your will when you just found that awsome whatever while traveling (or perhaps you're trying to check into some much needed accomodations for the night), and they can't reach you to ask if everything is okay.
I always call before I go.
Thanks everyone. This whole thing is ridiculous! It wasn't one of my cards...it was a credit card that I've never seen that was opened in my name in 2000/2001!! Now I have to send letters and all kinds of other stuff to find out the city and state it happened in to file an Identity Theft Report. *my head hurts*
I know I will be monitoring everything more closely now. Thanks for the support guys and letting me know I'm not the only one its happened to.