Identity Theft-What to Do if it Happens to You!

Figure I should start this thread since its happening quite a bit. Not to mention it just happened to me recently :shakehead:

So pretty much this could be a discussion. What to do, what happens from here on out, helpful tips, etc.

DISCUSS! This will be helpful for those of you who are unfortunate enough to deal through this crap

 

I'm curious but how did it happen to you? Did you leave your information somewhere or was it snagged from you?

 

Did they get your credit card #? How did they get it?

This has to be one of my biggest fears......I spend enough on my own and I dont need help.

 

For my case, my credit card info was stolen. All of it, 16 digits and the 3 digit code on the back. How they got a hold of my 3 digits was beyond me. I never wrote it down or anything. Its always right in the back pocket of my pants pretty much 24/7 when I am awake so that baffled me quite a bit.

So they took quite the sum from me in stores based off the LA area in California. So I notified my credit card company, notified police authorities, and also contacted the places where that bastard used my card. What to do from there I am quite lost but I am sure people here can pipe up with the right info

I also found out that each transaction did NOT require the use of my ID :shead:, made with the "card" in hand (despite me having it by my ass) :shead:, and the bank did NOT notify me of the mysterious charges :shead:. I'm hoping they catch that bastard because this is super annoying to deal with :shakehead:

 

To that gentlemen, I am very baffled. I never publish nor give my numbers out, especially the last 3 digits of my card on the back. I'm guessing someone somehow snagged it as everything was linked to my name (shared account with parents so they HAD to have the 3 digits)...

 

So this guy used your card that never left your posession.....in a retail store...in person??

 

Yup. I'm about 1.5 hours away from LA and I was in school that day with the card with me the whole time. They somehow made a valid copy :shead:

 

:yikes:

That scares the shit out of me.

 

What kind of card was it? They should have you protected in cases like this and you shouldnt be responsible for the charges.

 

my mom had this happen to her...the police actually showed up at our door and put her and hand cuffs because the other person was so good at it..that they made it look like my mom was the one doing the identity theft...i was about 13 years old...what a trip for me lol....finally got resolved after 3 years

 

Citibank Mastercard. They refunded all the amounts and everything since I said I can prove to them that it wasn't me. I'm super conservative about using the future card they are sending to me though. Not something I want to go through again so I'm being super careful...

I'm thinking that if we didn't call the bank to ask about the previous bill, they would have never noticed the charges. It was happening for awhile too which sucks :thud:

 

act fast man....details and vital info gets lost fast...so as much info as you can the better..

 

+2 to that Scott. After I found out, I immediately canceled the card since it was still active, and went to the police officers. I had to go back the next day to get the bank statement though. I never thought that they would need it for some reason so that was something I learned...

The next day I notified all the LA-based stores what has happened as well and asked them to describe the people to police if they had any info. Thats pretty much all I did for now

 

ya...good job..i mean you can only do so much...and its going to seem like the police and bank don't really care lol..because honestly they really don't...its really tough to catch I.T. and theres only so much you can do...or just start over like my mom did

 

I'm hoping it wont affect me too much in the future (only 20 yrs old). Those stupid "Free Credit Report" commercials are scaring the crap out of me right now...

I'll probably call the police and check up every now and then on the Economic Crimes Department. Hopefully they get to it pretty soon since I was told that there have been significant increases in identity theft in the past couple months :thud:

Until then, its like you said, gotta move on and hope for the best...

 

Contact your Financial Institution immeadiately, close out the account. Call all your credit card companies and close out all your cards. Close all of your accounts. Contact the 3 credit reporting agencies. Trans Union, Experian, Equifax. Inform them. and run credit checks to be sure that a new line of credit has not been opened up in your name. Do a thorough search of your finances and credit history. ASAP It did not happen to me ,but I recieved a counterfeit check for Detailing products I sell and it caused alot of problems. I did all of the above things. You also need to run checks on any childrens SS numbers,because if they have your number or info thay have your childrens too. I know it's alot of work and a slow process,but better to be safe than sorry. Hope it all works out. God Bless!

 

Most if not all credits cards have identity theft insurance. I would check with all your credit card companies to make sure that they do, if they don't switch to one that has. (You can also take advantag of the lower interest rate) Also look for cards with a smart chip in them.

 

Sorry to hear that mate. I never use my credit card in public places, only places where I can swipe it myself. For the rest, I use my debit card and keep my balance low so that there is only so much they can use when they have my information.

 

Perfect way to minimize any potential fraud on-line! Smart move P1et :applause2:

 

You really need to contact them ASAP! I am not sure I would go as far as closing out all of your accounts and open new ones. This could hurt your credit score in the long run. Every situation is differnt. If you need some help send me a PM. I am a banker. I would be happy to help. You really need to make sure you have filled out a police report. Sometimes things seem fine for a while then crap starts to happen again. Keep your police report for years. Sorry but you will need to. Some day you might go to buy a house or car years from now and realize it is coming back to bit you in the butt. When you fill out the police report they will give you information to help you through the process. I am so sorry, but if you need help just let me know.
Going forward, never let your credit card out of your sight. Espcially at restraunts. Some waiters keep very small card readers. They scan your card and write down your code on the back. That is all they need to make a new card. It is sad but true! :sorry: