Identity was stolen

Inx

So I had my identity stolen this past weekend, but thankfully got it resolved after losing only 80 bucks.

But now I realize that I should probably run a credit report to see if this asshole did anything else like take out a loan or something.

However, I don't want to have to spend money because of this to have a credit report done. Are there any truly free places to have one done?

SkyCaptain

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Raneados

I also don't think you're accountable for anything you lost while your identity was stolen

how did they take 80 dollars?

MagicToaster

What happened exactly?

Usually, identity theft is something that is discovered a loooong time after it's happened. When I used to work at a bank most people would know about the ID theft when they were asked to pay for loans that they never applied for or when they applied for loans and they were denied because somebody borrowed money under their name and never made payments. Also, most people with stolen credit cards would swear that their identity had been stolen.

But the advice I can give you will depend on the situation. What happened?

Dunadan019

1) talk to your bank. they usually cover money fraudulently taken out of your account unless it was from you being silly (like handing out your pin number).

2) annual credit report, look for any loans/credit cards that aren't yours

3) ask for new credit card numbers and bank accounts if they've been compromised. also change your pins/passwords where applicable.

Sipex

I'd definitely try to fight for that money, whatever got compromised to lose you that $80 isn't going to offer to give it up, you have to ask.

Remember, you never EVER gave out your pin or cards, even if you did, don't admit to it. EVEN if you think it's in no way related (lent it to your sister 10 years ago) don't mention it. Places like this will take ANY excuse to hold back the money.

Backstop

MagicToaster wrote: »

What happened exactly?

Usually, identity theft is something that is discovered a loooong time after it's happened. When I used to work at a bank most people would know about the ID theft when they were asked to pay for loans that they never applied for or when they applied for loans and they were denied because somebody borrowed money under their name and never made payments. Also, most people with stolen credit cards would swear that their identity had been stolen.

But the advice I can give you will depend on the situation. What happened?

I had it happen once where the person took out a credit card in my name with them as an authorized user and then changed my billing address for that card to a place far away. I would never have known except that MBNA left a voice mail saying they had a few questions about my CLEMSON UNIVERSITY mastercard. The lady really emphasized Clemson like that and it caught my attention and when I called back it to tell them I don't have a Clemson card she turned out to be a fraud-catcher at MBNA.

I might have noticed the odd address on my credit report but I don't check those as often as I should and it might have been a couple of years.

Inx

I spoke to the bank yesterday and it was actually a pretty smooth process of getting my card cancelled, getting a new card, and putting in a dispute for the money (which the woman assured me would be returned to me within 7 to 10 business days and that the dispute was really just a formality).

I mean, the money was spent in fucking Fort Lee. I live in New York and have never even BEEN to Fort Lee.

joshofalltrades

Good on you. Just curious, did the bank give you some scary thing about how if they investigate your report and it comes up that you didn't have your info stolen, they'd be charging you extra or something? I've had sort of the same thing happen to me once and they tried to intimidate me away from getting it cleared up, presumably so they wouldn't have to worry about losing the money themselves.

Inx

Nah. The woman was really nice, and when she told me that the money had been spent in Fort Lee, and I told them I'd never even BEEN there, they probably figured I was on the up and up.

3drage

So it wasn't your identity that was stolen, just your account number. Probably either skimmed or some place processed your transaction that had a sniffer on the network. In this case it's just your account needs to be changed as there's not much PII stored on track data on your credit card. Usually just a pin offset, account number, and first/last name.

Not really a stolen identity and you should count yourself lucky that it wasn't.

Inx

Well, that is a relief.