Was my identity just stolen?

Toldo

In a moment of weakness, I answered a call from +1 (888) 327-3782, who claimed to be a representative from my bank. After listing my address, she asked me to verify my zip code, which I did, followed by my birthdate. The person asked me questions about my plans for my checking and savings accounts--the scary thing was that she listed my account balance.

It was only after I hung up that I realized that it might be a scam. I called my bank, who said they did not have that number in their system.

Was I just scammed? I'm an international student in the US, so I'm not sure what potential identity theft can do to me. What can I do to protect myself further?

Enc

Call your bank again and make sure they secure your account, right now.


Right now!

bowen

Generally they can't do anything as long as you didn't give them your social or anything else. I'd still call your bank though and let them know again and ask what you should do.

Better yet, go down there ASAP.

Spacemilk

You verified your birthdate, or you GAVE them your birthdate?

Either way, call your bank NOW! and have them stop activity. Consider getting a new account number. It's pretty weird that they can list your account balance, if your bank does not know that number or can't think of any reason why someone would contact you, you need to do something about your account security because clearly 3rd party people know wayyyy too much.

matt has a problem

Googling that number gives results saying multiple people have been called from it and asked the same series of questions, despite not being members of the bank. It seems Sun Trust is the most common one listed.

Hypatia

Also, make sure to call the 3 major credit reporting agencies and ask them to put a temporary lock on your name. This will keep anyone from opening an account in your name/under your information without them calling you to confirm that you are indeed trying to do that. A more permanent lock can be placed if you snail mail them.

DragonPup

Enc wrote: »

Call your bank again and make sure they secure your account, right now.


Right now!

Hypatia wrote: »

Also, make sure to call the 3 major credit reporting agencies and ask them to put a temporary lock on your name. This will keep anyone from opening an account in your name/under your information without them calling you to confirm that you are indeed trying to do that. A more permanent lock can be placed if you snail mail them.

I have nothing more to add.

Toldo

Hypatia wrote: »

Also, make sure to call the 3 major credit reporting agencies and ask them to put a temporary lock on your name. This will keep anyone from opening an account in your name/under your information without them calling you to confirm that you are indeed trying to do that. A more permanent lock can be placed if you snail mail them.

Which ones would that be? Can I even do that when I'm not a citizen of the US?

DirtyDirtyVagrant

Experian, Transunion, and Equifax.

Right? And I'm pretty sure you can.

DragonPup

Toldo wrote: »

Hypatia wrote: »

Also, make sure to call the 3 major credit reporting agencies and ask them to put a temporary lock on your name. This will keep anyone from opening an account in your name/under your information without them calling you to confirm that you are indeed trying to do that. A more permanent lock can be placed if you snail mail them.

Which ones would that be? Can I even do that when I'm not a citizen of the US?

Where do you live?

Toldo

Spent a lot of time on the phone with my (real) bank today. Got a confidentialty status put on my account, so whoever stole my identity can't access my account. Also called Equifax, but since they don't have any information on me, they couldn't freeze my credit report. Despite this whole mess, I feel pretty good about it. Going to the bank tomorrow to close my old accounts and opening new ones. Equifax recommended that I send them my information so that they could create a file for me--which they could then freeze from potential scammers. Should I do this, or should I just continue not having a credit report?

SmokeStacks

If you don't have a credit report now, and identity thieves got ahold of you personal information, then you're going to have one real soon.

Better to have one set up (even if you have no credit whatsoever at this point in your life) than to have to go through the work of clearing yours up later.

Brainiac 8

I'm a financial counselor at a Credit Union, and I see this quite often.

Definitely call up your bank and ask them to do whatever they do to make sure an account is secure. Let them know what happened and give them any relevant info about the number. Get them to set up a password on your account for an active PIN that only you would know.

If you really feel it's necessary, then getting your account number changed is another option.

Hope this helps.