Identity thief

[Starrlight]

So I received an official looking package of papers from a what I thought was a well known bank saying I opened an account and thank you blah blah with my address and a weird email address within the papers and when I looked up the real company’s number it was not the same as the fake ones. I called the real company and they have this person locked already. They say that this person has my social security number. I don’t have a computer other than my I phone which is hard to hack and I never give out my social security number. Sucks. I feel like I should contact social security and let them know someone has been stealing my identity. Ugh 😟 😳 😶 🙄 😒 😐 has this happened to you before? What to do?

[Starrlight]

You know I’m just going to relax unless something else comes up.

[Dolphin14]

⭐️Shit! This has mover happened to me. But, I would def say contact social security.

You didn't give either company any info did you? How did they know the social security number is involved was it a breech on their part?

❤️🐬

[Starrlight in reply to Dolphin14]

So the legit company asked me if the last 4 digits of my social was ———— and it was so I assume the thief knew it and gave that info to them.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Starrlight]

I hope someone else had some helpful suggestions. I'm not sure where to go with this I would def call social security. See what they say. Have you secured your bank accounts and changed all your passwords?

❤️🐬

[Starrlight in reply to Dolphin14]

Yes I changed passwords and I sent a complaint to social security with a detailed account of what has happened.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Starrlight]

Good, keep us posted.

❤️🐬

[Starrlight in reply to Dolphin14]

Thanks ❤️ ⭐️

[Isinatra]

Yes, the bad guy probably had plans to take out loans or gain credit from your personal info. Social security can issue you a new number in the future if need be. They will probably ask the reason why you need a new number. They aren’t a law enforcement agency, though. You could report the bad guy to the law to bring additional charges in the case. My social security number was hacked through an agency that handled my medical records. Luckily not too much damage was done. Although, it was a battle defending my identity. They weren’t as clever as your hackers. My hackers wanted drugs or drugs to sell, not money.

[Starrlight in reply to Isinatra]

Wow yeah seems like there’s so much more of this kind of things happening suddenly recently. I don’t know if I need a new number I just want to have it be know. What’s going on I may not have to worry I don’t know.

[lolanell]

Has not happened to me. Good luck. Sorry your going through this.

[Starrlight in reply to lolanell]

Thanks Lolanell ❤️

[c-mac]

Look up the credit reporting agencies (Experian, I can't remember the names of the other two) and put a lock on your credit so that you have to have a password to allow companies to run credit checks on you. If you don't have this then people can open new accounts with your social security number. I know, because my SSN was hacked a long while ago, so I had to do this.

[c-mac in reply to c-mac]

The credit lock should be free -- don't pay for services that sound like it but cost money. I can't remember if "freeze" or "lock" is the one you want to do, but it should be free.

[Starrlight in reply to c-mac]

C Mac thank you so much for that info!!!

[Starrlight in reply to c-mac]

Froze it aaahhhh 😅 feels good

[Agora1]

I'm so sorry... xx

[Starrlight in reply to Agora1]

Agooooooraaaaa! Thanks it’s all good 😌 it’ll be ok

[Agora1 in reply to Starrlight]

I believe in that too... xx

[Starrlight in reply to Agora1]

😌 🌈

[lolanell]

You add brightness to my life and others 😻

[Starrlight in reply to lolanell]

Omg you are so sweet I just love you 😍 thank you you have made my day , beautiful Lolanell. ✨ You are bright as well. ✨

[san_ray70]

My husband had his card cloned, once , but the bank caught it,..they sent us a new card and we destroyed the other one. We do not have much but we are glad the bank were aware.

[Starrlight in reply to san_ray70]

Woah 😦 that’s good

[Blueruth in reply to san_ray70]

Fun fact.. they haven't looked at signatures for years. They have way more success using data like buying patterns and location. So I encourage everyone to draw a doodle the next time the retailer asks for a signature!

[Chopper21]

I’m am sorry that happened to you. It happened to m several years ago and it is a real pain. What I did was notify the police to make a formal report so you start a paper trail. Then notify all three credit bureau’s and have them put an alert on your account. Ask the credit bureau to send you your free copy of your credit report. . I don’t remember if I did anything else. I think social security can give you some direction too. It’s a pain in the butt . You’re I good company though. Good luck!

[Starrlight in reply to Chopper21]

Wow ok so far I notified social security and have frozen my credit. I feel good about it. Hmmm yeah credit report... thank you!!!!!

[notanotter in reply to Starrlight]

You are entitled to at least 1 free credit report a year from each of the credit reporting companies (such as Experian), in the US. You'll have to get past all the advertising and upselling first, ick.

[Starrlight in reply to notanotter]

Thank you!

[Midori]

Definitely let the Social Security know. An identity thief can do untold damage to your Credit history and also leave you open to debt collectors unless you stamp on this hard and fast! It can ruin your life!

[Starrlight in reply to Midori]

Ok thank you

[blueslite]

Never had that happen to me but about 20 years ago my checking account was hacked. In your situation I'd be worried about the fact that someone might have your SS#. That could definitely be a problem for you. With your number accounts can be opened in your name - cable TV, car insurance, all kinds of things, and you could end up getting the bills. I hope SS can help you out, they certainly should issue you a new number. I just wonder how that person got your SS#. I see you've gotten some good advice here in the replies so good luck!

[Starrlight in reply to blueslite]

Thank you!

[blueslite in reply to Starrlight]

yw!

[kenster1]

scum of the earth get fake emails regular and phone calls my Mrs was nearly fooled before but luckily I stopped her.

[Starrlight in reply to kenster1]

Yeah it’s so bad

[notanotter]

They might or might not have your complete SSN, but they have the last 4 digits? Just realize that people can sell your identifying information online for someone else, so you'll want to keep checking for the next year and maybe 2 years.

Please also alert your insurance company/Medicare/? if you have health insurance. It can be dangerous if someone else uses your SSN and name to get medical services, and the other person's medical data is then mixed with yours. It doesn't sound likely for your situation, but again, the original thief could share your info.

[Starrlight in reply to notanotter]

I didn’t know they could do any damage with the last four digits.

[notanotter in reply to Starrlight]

It's much less likely if they only have the last four digits.

The SSN is partly tied to a geographic area, usually for where the person's parents lived when you were born, so someone could figure out the start of the number by putting it together with other information about you. They'd have to be motivated and be able to keep trying different permutations of the middle 2 digits, though. ssa.gov/history/ssn/geocard...

[notanotter]

Also - people often forget they already have identity protection insurance that would make cleaning up and monitoring your accounts much easier. For example: identity theft protection through a credit card's benefits; as part of your homeowners/renters insurance; and even your business insurance if you're self employed.

Also, if you've already been part of a big data breach, you can still take up that company or organization's offer of free identity protection service.

[Starrlight in reply to notanotter]

Thanks!!!

[AndrewT]

Yes DO 'Get Onto' The Bank (and Social Security, The Police, Fraud Prevention... in fact EVERYBODY. Please DON'T 'Risk it'- I won't say on here, what I actually 'think' of these Fraudsters... suffice it's not, at all, complimentary!

And

[Starrlight in reply to AndrewT]

Thank you!!!

[Zoey1960]

You could also fill out report online or by phone to your state attorney general s office as they monitor fraud. Good luck.😀

[Hidden]

Omg really burn shred everything