Credit Tips: Advice Needed for Identity Theft Victim
Written by carnold
Posted On: May 1, 2005
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Post subject: stolen Social Security Number to open credit card
PHIL HAMBRICK
Date: 2/8/2001 12:01 am CDT
Help! I recently discovered that a family member had gotten mine and my wife’s SS# and opened credit cards and ran them up. I found out because another credit card issuer, with whom I have a card, merged with one of the card companies opened in my name. Basically, I’m not inclined to prosecute. The family member has admitted the wrongdoing, but our credit now has been damaged. If the money owed is paid, how can we ever repair the damage? In my situation, the family member has made arrangements with me to pay the money, but my wife and I still look guilty. Any suggestions as to how to approach this problem. We had great credit for years until this recent discovery. If anyone has any help for us we would geatly appreciate it.
One credit card company has really been harrassing me, suggesting that I’m lying. I have not been able to have any sort of constructive conversation with them. Please help!
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Board Monitor - AD
Date: 2/8/2001 1:41 pm CDT
Dear Phil,
This scenario happens frequently, as I have heard of similiar situations. However, how to resolve such matters really depends on how serious the situation is, and whether you want to press charges.
These are unathorized accounts, and the credit card issuers must assist you in cancelling these accounts. I would recommend that you visit the Federal Trade Commission web site at:
http://www.ftc.gov/
There you’ll find loads of info on Consumer Protection Rights!
Sincerely,
Alex Daskaloff
creditcardfreedom.com
CardRatings.com is the most comprehensive source for comparing credit card offers. Please visit CardRatings.com to view the best rated credit cards!
tim
Date: 2/8/2001 4:07 pm CDT
In the meantime continue to dispute the charges and include a statement with your credit report issued by the 3 credit bureaus explaining your attempts to resolve the matter.
Keep in mind though that it was your responsibility to protect your social security number and other personal information such as income. Also make your relative pay you for the damages you have suffered.
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Curtis Arnold, a nationally recognized consumer educator and advocate, has been educating consumers about credit cards since 1998. Curtis is the author of "How You Can Profit from Credit Cards: Using Credit to Improve Your Financial Life and Bottom Line" (FT Press, 2008). He is also the co-author of the upcoming Complete Idiot's Guide to Person-to-Person Lending (Alpha Books/Pengiun Group USA, April 2009), a contribitor to The Ultimate Allowance (InnerWealth Publishing, 2008) and is extensively featured in 42 RulesTM for Driving Success With Books (Super Star Press, January 2009).
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