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I got a call from a creditor last night wanting to talk to me about my JC Penney card. I've never had a JC Penney card. But she had my name, down to the middle initial. And the last four SS# digits she read off were mine, with one alteration. And the number that was different was one that's close enough in shape to my actual number that bad handwriting could make it look like it was my number.
After convincing her it wasn't me, I made a frantic run to the computer to pull up my credit report. Thank God, there's nothing there. I'm not sure what happened here, but the national credit agencies are firmly convinced I've never had any cards other than the ones that I myself opened, all of which have been paid in full and promptly every month since I got them.
But I thought I was going to have a heart attack. And my stomach was upset for the rest of the night. Identity theft is really, really scary.
After convincing her it wasn't me, I made a frantic run to the computer to pull up my credit report. Thank God, there's nothing there. I'm not sure what happened here, but the national credit agencies are firmly convinced I've never had any cards other than the ones that I myself opened, all of which have been paid in full and promptly every month since I got them.
But I thought I was going to have a heart attack. And my stomach was upset for the rest of the night. Identity theft is really, really scary.
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Date: 2006-08-11 08:59 pm (UTC)From:If you think it may be legit, hang up immediately, go to the computer, get the real phone number of the real company and call them directly!
Also, go to Office Max and buy a cheap cross-cut shredder and use it for everything you throw out that may carry ANY identifying info and especially retail store receipts!! (most of them carry PART of your credit card number, a few neanderthal retailers write down the ENTIRE credit card number and your name! And when a cashier takes your credit card, make sure it never leaves your sight and make sure they only do ONE impression. If they claim it "didn't come out right" or need to take a second impression, GET THE ORIGINAL - DAMAGED impression, put it in your purse, take it home and SHRED IT! Same goes for deposit slips at the bank etc... Take with you the ones you mess up (NEVER EVER put it in a wastebasket at the bank, they just dump it into the dumpster!) and SHRED them at home!
Stop dumpster divers from becoming millionaires...
Oh, and always make sure your phone number is unlisted and always notify your cell phone company that you DO NOT want them to list or sell your cell phone number to ANYONE! They will do this for you, for free, upon request.
Also, occasionally google your phone number and go after jerks that post it and make sure they remove it! Having a lawyer friend send a cease and desist letter works wonders!