Re: social security number (Long reply) but thorough
Jim,
The problem they encountered could have been caused by any number of things from someone simply fat fingering the keyboard while entering the number to someone attempting to or having successfully sotlen your Identity. I've been the victim of the latter by none other than an ex-girlfriend. That explains why she is an ex.
The reason they cannot tell you what the problem is they are legally not allowed to disclose that information to individuals, even if you are the indvidual in question. Strange I know, but it is for your protecton as well as theirs. It is still too easy to assume/steal another persons identity. If the wireless company were to disclose info to you, in their eyes they could in fact be disclosing info to someone who is attempting to gather info to steal your identity in which case the wirelss company can be held just as liable as the perpetrator.
A credit report will tell you about any outstanding credit cards, accounts, and or debts that you may or may not know about. It will show how many times you were late paying said debts, and how late you were paying it back. Also it will tell you when, how many times, and sometimes who has requested a credit report on you. Good info to have if you suspect identity theft.
As far as having received loans or a credit card from various companies in your name, it will allow you to see that someone has in fact been messing with your credit and your SSN in a fraudulent manner.
You should immediately upon first suspicion, conact two or three credit bureaus in your area and explain to them you have reason to believe someone has stolen or is attempting to steal your ID. Have all of them run credit reports on you, and inform them in writing they should report to you any further activity so that you can corroborate the authenticity of the activity. You may also request that any future inquiries into your past credit be RED FLAGGED, so that it may be more thorughly investigated by you, the reporting company, the requesting company, and any governmental investigating agency.
Other than contacting a couple of more reporting agencies, you should notify all of your bank and all legitmate CC Companies to which you actually have a card that there has been suspicious activity on your credit and they should take apropriate actions to help you and themselves remain protected as possible against possible abuse. If you can confirm one or more fraudulent accounts that have been established in you name, you need to contact the the company(ies) and the Secret Service immediately and file a report giving them as much information as you can about the situation. The Secret Service for whatever reason has been delegated authority over credit fraud. I haven't a clue as to why, but that is the truth regardless.
No need to feel helpless and confused Jim. I've been there and it takes a while to get things straightened out, but if you can help nail the clown who did this, it helps us all in the long run.
My ex GF did this to me with the help of her new boyfriend. Collected as many as 15-20 credit cards ($1000-$2000 limit), even got a signature loan in person from one place in Jackson, TN. They sure were shocked when I came in person to complain. As I introduced myself the loan officer was heard to say, "Oh F***! I think I screwed up!" My reply was, "No doubt you have screwed up! Now I intend to own your A$$ for the rest of your life if you do not immediately fix this situation!" Thirty minutes later, I had written apologies, letters of confirmation, you name it. And the black mark was removed from my credit report the next day on the purge.
The Cards she fraudently obtained were maxed out over a period of a year and a half, then she defaulted on all of them to the tune of some $35,000. I have yet to pay a penny on any of them. Eventually she was forced to sign a confession and waiver to relieve me of any responsibility or wrongdoing due directly to information I had implicating her as the perpetrator. I figure she will be working to pay them off for the rest of her life since she hasn't the smarts to get a better paying job much higher than minimum wage.
One More suggestion: buy a crosscut confetti style shredder and use it for any and all junk mail containing your name and address, especially pre-approved credit apps! Never ever put this stuff in the garbage so that someone can get at it. My wife uses our shreddings in the flower bed. Mixed with wolf poop it makes excellent mulch!
Best of all no one in their right mind would ever strain through the stuff for personal info.
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