I Got My Identity Hacked

[SlammedZero]

I've officially been the victim of fraud. A collection popped up on my credit report. Massive red flag as I have stellar credit. After calling and peeling back the layers, come to find out it was somebody that started an account in my name in Cleveland, Oh. To top it off, the wife got a call this morning asking about the equity loan we were putting on our house. "Uh, excuse me? What loan?" So, all day I have been calling this place. E-mailing that. Filling out this form. Scanning this. Reporting that. What a mess. People suck.

Was talking with somebody on the phone today, and she was telling me that this happens to the elderly frequently. Not that this hasn't been/won't be a massive inconvenience to me, but I am a big boy and can handle it. It's when these people prey on the elderly, that have no idea how to deal with all of this in the digital world, that makes me really irate.

So, yeah, be careful out there.

 

[Runwildboys]

Oh man, that sucks! Technology is great, until it's used against you!

 

[Cowpolk]

I've officially been the victim of fraud. A collection popped up on my credit report. Massive red flag as I have stellar credit. After calling and peeling back the layers, come to find out it was somebody that started an account in my name in Cleveland, Oh. To top it off, the wife got a call this morning asking about the equity loan we were putting on our house. "Uh, excuse me? What loan?" So, all day I have been calling this place. E-mailing that. Filling out this form. Scanning this. Reporting that. What a mess. People suck.

Was talking with somebody on the phone today, and she was telling me that this happens to the elderly frequently. Not that this hasn't been/won't be a massive inconvenience to me, but I am a big boy and can handle it. It's when these people prey on the elderly, that have no idea how to deal with all of this in the digital world, that makes me really irate.

So, yeah, be careful out there.

That sucks Last month we had 2 900 dollar purchases at walmart.com show up on bank account We dont shop on line at Walmart Got the money back

 

[jnday]

I have had my identity stolen as well. Once they got a look at it, they sent it back.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

It sucks. My wife had it happen to her. Makes it easier for those willing to steal because of how common place it has become for someone just to had over their debit card to a stranger in a fast food drive through.

 

[CouchCoach]

What is sad is that every time there is fraud committed in the area where I live, a heavy retirement area in Central Texas, they have to remind people to protect their personal and valuable information.

I'd put these so called while collar criminals in prisons populated with the worst sort of characters and see how well they do.

 

[SlammedZero]

I have had my identity stolen as well. Once they got a look at it, they sent it back.

What is sad is that every time there is fraud committed in the area where I live, a heavy retirement area in Central Texas, they have to remind people to protect their personal and valuable information.

I'd put these so called while collar criminals in prisons populated with the worst sort of characters and see how well they do.

Same! I totally refrained from saying what I would like to do to these crooks at the risk of coming across like an internet tough guy. lol Seriously though, it's a shame they have the desire and intelligence to cheat the system, but can't use those skills for something positive and productive.

 

[Dodger12]

Many of these folks are overseas and target the elderly and unsuspecting folks who click on a link resulting in their computer being compromised. From there it's all downhill.

I keep my credit score/profile locked through Experian and only unlock it when I'm buying a car or getting a loan and I know someone will run my credit. If there's something amiss, I'll get a credit alert. It's not perfect but it's better than nothing.

 

[Ranched]

I'm so sorry to hear this Slammer. Bad things always seem to happen to good people!

 

[Cowpolk]

What is sad is that every time there is fraud committed in the area where I live, a heavy retirement area in Central Texas, they have to remind people to protect their personal and valuable information.

I'd put these so called while collar criminals in prisons populated with the worst sort of characters and see how well they do.

They used my wife's debit card I think someone at Walmart has a scanner our bank says it is happening a lot in this area If people want a hint look for walmart.com on your banking account it will be the Arkansas store If you dont buy online from Walmart they got ya

 

[Them]

..Oh Man Slam...I feel for ya buddy!...I hope you can get all straightend out quickly!...

 

[Creeper]

I've officially been the victim of fraud. A collection popped up on my credit report. Massive red flag as I have stellar credit. After calling and peeling back the layers, come to find out it was somebody that started an account in my name in Cleveland, Oh. To top it off, the wife got a call this morning asking about the equity loan we were putting on our house. "Uh, excuse me? What loan?" So, all day I have been calling this place. E-mailing that. Filling out this form. Scanning this. Reporting that. What a mess. People suck.

Was talking with somebody on the phone today, and she was telling me that this happens to the elderly frequently. Not that this hasn't been/won't be a massive inconvenience to me, but I am a big boy and can handle it. It's when these people prey on the elderly, that have no idea how to deal with all of this in the digital world, that makes me really irate.

So, yeah, be careful out there.

One thing our intrepid leaders at both the state and federal levels could do to make lives better is make it tougher for creeps to pull off these scams. How in the world could someone pull off an equity line of credit or loan on someone else's house without the owners finding out you ask? Banks and mortgage companies should be required to verify the identity of those who apply for loans. All it takes is a registered letter to the homeowners address. It is not that hard but it does require some due diligence. Banks that allow this fraud to happen should be fully liable for all damages to the homeowner. Also, the penalties for this kind of thievery should be high enough to deter criminals from committing these crimes.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

I've officially been the victim of fraud. A collection popped up on my credit report. Massive red flag as I have stellar credit. After calling and peeling back the layers, come to find out it was somebody that started an account in my name in Cleveland, Oh. To top it off, the wife got a call this morning asking about the equity loan we were putting on our house. "Uh, excuse me? What loan?" So, all day I have been calling this place. E-mailing that. Filling out this form. Scanning this. Reporting that. What a mess. People suck.

Was talking with somebody on the phone today, and she was telling me that this happens to the elderly frequently. Not that this hasn't been/won't be a massive inconvenience to me, but I am a big boy and can handle it. It's when these people prey on the elderly, that have no idea how to deal with all of this in the digital world, that makes me really irate.

So, yeah, be careful out there.

Sorry you had to go through that. I detest these scammers. I probably shouldn't write the penalty I would give these crooks, or I would get this post deleted. It was back maybe 2014 or 2015 when suddenly two transactions for $420 each appeared in my list of transactions paying some bogus company in Singapore. Fortunately, my bank has good fraud protection, though it took 3 days to get it back. For those three days I couldn't use my account while they did investigations. Fortunately, I had some cash on hand. The fraud department at the bank thought that maybe I was a victim of a phony bank card scanner at the pay-at-the pump at a gas station. I haven't used pay-at-the-pump since.

I especially despise the trashy goons who defraud the elderly. If I had it my way, they would [censored due to inappropriate content]. Then they could rot in hell. They have no shame. They'll steal every cent that an elderly person has. I can't think of a punishment that's too harsh for goons like that.

 

[VaqueroTD]

I may just be lucky but here’s some things I try:

- never ever save my account info online for billing unless no way around it
- change passwords linked to anything with personal or financial info frequently
- still always carry cash, I rarely pay with credit in any small less protected or shady looking place
- always cover my pin with one hand when entering no matter where I am
- always check open areas like gas stations n ATMs for skim machines
- avoid signing up for things that want info or if I do (useful frequent shopper rewards program for example) I rarely give right info if doesn’t matter
- I always ask for a receipt no matter how small, Seen scams where they take those and use them and I know that they know I’m being careful by asking for that and not carelessly spending, hoping scammer would think twice
- I don’t open or click email links anymore, go to the site myself
- check credit report occasionally for free just to make sure nothing going on
- take advantage of free credit services offered by bank, credit union or my CCs