The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
My bank account got hacked!
noir_blood
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I log into my bank of america account early this morning to check that my direct deposit had gone in, only to find out that there are four pending charges for t-mobile totalling up to around 1000 dollars. Charges I didn't make. I already called T Mobile, and my own account is fine, so it's obvious someone got into my account. I called bank of america and right now they are doing a hold on my account, meaning that no one, even I can't get any money out of now. I have to go to the bank when they open at nine to talk to someone, but as you guys can imagine, I'm kinda freaking out right now.
What other steps do I need to take to protect myself? Anyone have any experience dealing with this? And more importantly, how could they have gotten my bank number? I only have one card which I keep with me at all times.
What other steps do I need to take to protect myself? Anyone have any experience dealing with this? And more importantly, how could they have gotten my bank number? I only have one card which I keep with me at all times.
noir_blood on
0
Posts
Also, I think it goes without saying, but you need a new account. I'm sure Bank of America will do that for you.
Any number of ways. Around here, folks like to dig through the trash and pull out bank statements and anything else they can use to piece your personal info together. I think ID theft should be punishable by a drill through the genitals, honestly.
You need to contact a credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and tell them your identity has been stolen. They'll put a fraud alert on your credit report that will stop anyone from using your credit. You only need to contact one credit company, they're supposed to let the other two know.
Second, yes, close that account and get a new one.
I used to work with credit card fraud, and a stolen credit card number does not mean that your identity has been stolen. It only means your credit card number was exposed to a third party. Usually, when your identity gets stolen ppl get new credit cards or loans to your name, they don't go around using a credit card you already own.
You're right, but he really doesn't know what's been stolen here, and I think a little overkill is better than not doing enough.
It could simply be human error - a T-Mobile or bank employee may have processed a payment using your account information instead of the intended customers. If its a bill payment (which it sounds like), I would expect it to be trackable too.
If someone seriously obtained banking information, they're more likely to try to clear out your account in a more unidentifiable way.
I'd be going after T-Mobile's account's recievable department and getting this traced down.
Preparation is important! However, you're not talking about preparation, you're irresponsibly giving out advice you've never done yourself, otherwise you'd know how much more of a hassle applying for anything will be after putting out a fraud alert on your credit that will last anywhere from 3-7 years. Putting out a credit alert has consequences, you know.
It's understandable for a person to worry about their identity, as most ppl in this situation are. But the responsible way to handle this problem is to firstly confirm that the charge is in fact not yours, talk to the bank and see if this is some sort of mistake that can be fixed. If it isn't, talk to the company that processed the charge, perhaps they can clear things up.
If neither can clear this up, then it's probably credit card fraud (and only credit card fraud). Your bank will issue you a new credit card with a different number and give you back the money you lost. Warning, lying about credit card fraud will land you in Jail so be totally honest, because your bank will investigate this.
If you feel compelled to confirm that your identity has not been stolen, ask for a credit report first. Don't go around putting unnecessary fraud alerts like Fats is suggesting.
Working in pre-paid debit disputes/fraud, I see a LOT of people paying off their T-Mobile account with someone else's card.
I've also seen cable bills and XBLA purchases being paid with stolen cards.
It's actually not that bad of a hassle and a good idea. Someone tried to get a credit card in my name after stealing my info from the warehouse of my car insurance place. I lucked out that home depot caught the app before the card went out and I had to put a fraud alert on my accounts with the 3 credit bureaus in Canada. The only added hassle is I can't get instant credit. If there is an inquiry on my credit, they have to phone my home number to verify the application. It sucks that that has to be done in this day, but you can't be too safe with that information.
This reminded me. If you do throw away your bank statements, stop doing so. Shred them first, at least. But I just keep mine in a safe place. I don't think you're supposed to throw them away.
Also, you can always go paperless. I know B of A does that, at least.
Man, debit card fraud pisses me off. People need to be less sketchy and sheisty.
I'm not so sure. My credit card info (along with the credit card billing info like my street address) was stolen, fuck knows how, about a year ago. The guy who stole it used my credit card for some online purchases before I stopped it. I also put a fraud alert on my credit report, and I did that mainly to stop the other guy from opening further accts on my name, and also to check to make sure he hadn't opened any new ones yet (since you're entitled to a free credit report, in addition to the yearly one you're entitled to, from all 3 when you place a fraud alert). Also, it seems they only last for 90 days.
I know I stopped receiving unsolicited credit card applications and the like for about 90 days, but as soon as that period ended they started coming again, even stronger than before. I haven't tried to get new credit since then, but everything I've read indicates that placing the initial alert won't hinder you after the 90 day period. If I'm wrong, please tell me so.
I went paperless when I found a stack of 17 bank statements I hadn't even opened in my filing cabinet. I get the PDFs right from Wells Fargo's online banking. Called them up and told them to stop mailing statements, they were happy to oblige. Saves them the cost of printing and mailing the damn things.
You open yourself up to the possibility of not having a physical statement if something gets fucked up, but I can get every statement I've ever had online, so that'll only happen if, say, their entire data storage system dies and is unrecoverable, in which case I'm pretty sure not having statements is the least of my worries.
Paperless is the way to go, because it eliminates the easiest way for thieves to get account information: from mail boxes or garbage. The only way anyone can steal anything is electronically, which leaves a "paper trail" a mile long these days. Its much easier to track who stole what and when if it's done electronically, than if some random guy takes your statements out of your trash. Especially if that guy is smart at doing this stuff.