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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Identity Theft
        
(Message started by: catlind on Oct 25^th, 2004, 2:45pm)

Title: Identity Theft
Post by catlind on Oct 25^th, 2004, 2:45pm

For all of you out there that think identity theft is what happens to someone else, think again.

We have just discovered that we have been victims of at the minimum ID fraud, we are still in the process of trying to sort out the ID theft portion of things, but as of right now the FTC, FBI, and JAG are leaning that way.

If you have a report of fraudulent activity on your debit cards or credit cards, do NOT sit back and do nothing once the company has cancelled your account.

There are very specific and IMPORTANT steps you need to take. Because we were alerted to fraudulent use of one of our accounts, we looked into what we needed to do to make sure our information was correct. Because we did this, we learned that our information at Equifax (the credit reporting agency) had indeed been changed. We are still trying to find out the specifics of what has happened, but someone has in fact accessed our information and changed the personal information in their database. We would never have known this or been able to stop any further activity if we hadn't followed up after we were contacted regarding the fraudulent use of our card.

If you get a call saying someone has used your info fraudulently, do NOT give any confirmation info over the phone. No bank or credit issuing agency will ask this information. They will ask if you made the purchase, and if you didn't they will immediately close your account. If you get that phone call, and someone is asking for confirmation info (i.e. card number, security number off the back of your card etc.) hang up and call your banks and credit institutions. After you have been alerted to fraudulent use of your info, make sure you call the credit reporting agencies and have a fraud alert issued on your social security number.

Additionally, get a copy of your credit report at least once a year to make sure no one is using your info. There was a case not long ago the largest scam in history of ID theft, done from an insider. You can read about it here.
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/oct04/uncoveridt101504.htm

You may also want to consider filing an affidavit with the FTC so there is a record of the fraud should you have issues arise further down the road.

Don't wait til someone already has your info, take proactive steps to avoid the spot we have found ourselves in.

Cat

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by thomas on Oct 25^th, 2004, 2:47pm

Thanks Cat!

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by Svenn on Oct 25^th, 2004, 3:07pm

Thanks Cat!

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by Ree on Oct 25^th, 2004, 3:16pm

Sorry you have to go through this... and thanks for the information...love to you ree

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by don on Oct 25^th, 2004, 3:31pm

I just got an email from PayPal claiming an email address was added to my account. If it is in error (it was and they knew that) click the link.

The link says PayPal will do a security check. Please forward bank account numbers, pass words and account PIN number.

You gotta be kidding me!

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by fubar on Oct 25^th, 2004, 3:37pm

on 10/25/04 at 15:31:49, don wrote:

Don,

People clink that link and laugh at the absurdity of the request, but what they don't know is they are usually infected already and the bank stuff is, at best, a diversion. The 'PayPal' page that loads is actually made to infect your system with all manners of trojans and virii. Sure,some idiots will even enter the banking info, but that's just a bonus for the attacker.

-Shawn

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by don on Oct 25^th, 2004, 3:52pm

I suppose I should run a scan then. DOH!

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by Melissa on Oct 25^th, 2004, 3:59pm

I use the eBay/PayPal Account Guard to let me know whether or not a site is a valid PayPal or eBay site. It's a wonderful tool and you can report the sites.

:)mel

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by don on Oct 25^th, 2004, 4:21pm

Quote:

eBay/PayPal Account Guard

How and where do you download it?

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by Melissa on Oct 25^th, 2004, 4:30pm

If you have an eBay account, you can download the toolbar with Account Guard here...

http://pages.ebay.com/ebay_toolbar/

:)mel

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by Tim_Z on Oct 25^th, 2004, 6:30pm

I almost fell for a phishing scheme where they claimed they were Ebay and my account was idle for too long. They wanted me to confirm my id, password and then on to credit card numbers. I forwarded the email to Ebay, they said it was a scam. Be careful.

Tim

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by Charlie on Oct 26^th, 2004, 10:28pm

Thanks Cat. You made me double check my statements.

One of my favorites: A few months ago when I was under the weather and bored to death, I got a call from ostensibly, some kind of product polling thing. I was pretty sure what was going on. It was fun though. Finally they got to the crux and told me that they knew people shouldn't give Social Security numbers. Because they felt the same way, they asked me if I would supply the rest of my number if they got four digits of my number correct. LOL. ::) :o

No No No No..... I only wish I had called the cops. That was a new twist though.... ::)

Charlie 8)

Title: Re: Identity Theft
Post by Mr. Happy on Oct 27^th, 2004, 12:23am

on 10/26/04 at 22:28:22, Charlie wrote:

they asked me if I would supply the rest of my number if they got four digits of my number correct.

0000 in your chase, Chaz?
This whole identity theft thing is quite real........but if somebody wants my iden-titty, they can have it. Whenever the SS# thing comes up, give `em Charlie's.

000 00 0001,
RJ

Edited cuz I can't spell for shit the first time around.