Identity Theft

[Carl in Tampa]

I guess it was my turn. Identity theft has raised its ugly head.

At year's end I pay a couple of big bills and so I went on line with my financial institution to assure I had enough money in checking to cover the expenses. I was surprised to find that my Social Security direct deposit had not been made at the end of November. I checked further and was stunned to find that it had not been made for three months.

It turns out my Social Security account had been accessed on line and my home address, telephone number, e-mail address and institution where my direct deposit went, had all been changed ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY WEB SITE.

Of course this could only be done by someone who knew my Social Security number. I guard the number closely. The lady at the local office, where I had to go with photo ID to get the problem resolved, said that in all likelihood my identifying information was stolen from a medical facility such as a doctor's office, hospital or the physical rehab facility where I have been recently.

She said identity theft of this kind is commonplace in The Villages.

All of my missing checks were restored and my identifying data was corrected. To prevent a future occurrence of this kind my Social Security account is now blocked so that no changes can be made on line. I will have to go in person to a local office with photo ID if I want any changes made in the future.

The next day I signed up for Lifelock. With the premium level of Lifelock any attempt to open a new account for my direct deposit will be immediately detected and I will be contacted.

:police::police::police:

[Lbmb24101]

I have life lock
Love it so far
They send monthly status on your dentityI am very old fashioned and , probably unfounded, but am weary of debit cards and online banking.
Still banking the old fashioned way but love direct depsut.

[Bonnevie]

you should also do your tax returns as early as possible. these same thieves use people's information and file false returns. Two people I worked with were notified when they submitted their taxes that returns were already done. People have defrauded the IRS of millions.

[rhood]

Took you three months to discover ? ?

[Carl in Tampa]

Took you three months to discover ? ?

Major spine surgery; hospitalization; in-patient rehab.

Most of my bills are auto-pay; a friend handled others by mail.

Just now getting back to the Internet with any regularity.

Still struggling with physical rehab trying to walk again.

Most of my career was in a federal non-social security retirement program so the amount of money was minimal; and I didn't lose any money when Social Security was defrauded.

So, yeah. Three months.

:ho:

[Carla B]

There was some mention on TOTV in the past about people stealing social security numbers and setting up accounts on line at SSA.gov using the victim's ID. The advice was to go to the website and establish your own password-protected account. I tried to do so, but as our credit is frozen, SSA.gov denied access. I figure that's okay; if I can't access my info, neither can others.

[BobnBev]

Major spine surgery; hospitalization; in-patient rehab.

Most of my bills are auto-pay; a friend handled others by mail.

Just now getting back to the Internet with any regularity.

Still struggling with physical rehab trying to walk again.

Most of my career was in a federal non-social security retirement program so the amount of money was minimal; and I didn't lose any money when Social Security was defrauded.

So, yeah. Three months.

:ho:

From a brother LEO, glad to hear you're on the road to recovery.
Keep your chin up pal, every day is a gift.:ho::police:

[Easyrider]

There was some mention on TOTV in the past about people stealing social security numbers and setting up accounts on line at SSA.gov using the victim's ID. The advice was to go to the website and establish your own password-protected account. I tried to do so, but as our credit is frozen, SSA.gov denied access. I figure that's okay; if I can't access my info, neither can others.

If you freeze your Experian credit report it does prevent anyone from setting up an account per SSI.gov or you can add a fraud alert but it has to be added again every 90 days. Fraud alerts are free but a credit freeze is $10 per credit bureau.

(From SSI.gov)

Creating a my Social Security account with a credit freeze or fraud alert on your Experian credit report

Can I create a my Social Security account if I have a security freeze or a fraud alert on my Experian credit report?


You cannot create a my Social Security account online if you have a security freeze, fraud alert, or both on your Experian credit report. You first must ask Experian to remove the freeze or alert. For more information, please visit:

Experian security freeze; or
Experian fraud alert.
To create a my Social Security account in person without removing the security freeze or fraud alert, please visit your local Social Security office.

[TrudyM]

I have life lock
Love it so far
They send monthly status on your dentityI am very old fashioned and , probably unfounded, but am weary of debit cards and online banking.
Still banking the old fashioned way but love direct depsut.

Really I read it was next to worthless and didn't really monitor anything. I was going to get it and then didn't because of what I had read about it. I wish medicare would have Id's that were not your social security number. Regular insurance companies had to stop using your social security number as Id I wish that Medicare would follow suit so we would have less info floating out there about us.

[Bryan]

In Florida, a Credit Freeze is free for people aged 65 or over and is free for anyone who is an ID Theft victim, regardless of age (you need the police report case number). Again in Florida, it will cost you $10 to "LIFT" a credit freeze. You can "REMOVE" a credit freeze for free but any reinstatement will cost you $10.00. In general, a credit freeze is permanent until you remove it. A few states (not Florida) have a seven year limit and no, I don't know which states.

[TrudyM]

I just had someone steal and use my credit card number. The people/computer at Chase caught it and declined the charges and then cancelled the card and said they would inform experian. It got caught because we were swiping the card in Seattle at the same time someone was trying to use the number in Covina Calif.
I didn't put a freeze on my credit should I have do you think? This happened a few years back and I didn't freeze anything and it was ok. Real pain as it was the day before we left to come here and I couldn't get a replacement card as I wouldn't be home to sign for it, had to fall back on my second card no miles :(

Hubby relies on me to handle this kind of thing I don't want to screw up.

Trudy

[manaboutown]

I have several credit cards. About once a year something happens with any one of them, the bank catches it and issues me a new card. Credit fraud is rampant!

[justjim]

Really I read it was next to worthless and didn't really monitor anything. I was going to get it and then didn't because of what I had read about it. I wish medicare would have Id's that were not your social security number. Regular insurance companies had to stop using your social security number as Id I wish that Medicare would follow suit so we would have less info floating out there about us.

Carl in Tampa: Sounds like Social Security took care of your problem with no loss to you. Many people are desperate for money these days---unfortunately, it's not going to get better. I had a problem five or six years ago with someone getting my Visa Card number and charging to it. Never did figure how it happen. It's rare when someone is caught.

I too heard that the service was next to worthless. TV is a perfect place for theft of this nature----don't look for the Government to "change" our Medicare cards anytime soon!

[njbchbum]

snipped
I too heard that the service was next to worthless. TV is a perfect place for theft of this nature----don't look for the Government to "change" our Medicare cards anytime soon!

Justjim - what do you think makes TV "...a perfect place for theft of this nature." and why do you think so? I can't see how TV is any different than where I live most of the year. In fact, our identity theft occurred in a spot far from the villages!

[l2ridehd]

You really need to freeze all three credit reporting agencies. Experian, Trans Union and Equifax. This is free if over 65. It causes very little problems. If for any reason I need my credit checked by a bank or something, I just ask which of the three agencies do you use and unfreeze just that one. Except Experian. I will never unfreeze that one for any reason. Don't want to give them any business. If you go online to get your free annual credit report, two are very easy and straight forward, but Experian always gives you problems and tries to sell you something to get it. Part of their marketing plan. So they will never get any business from my account. It will remain frozen forever. If someone says the use them, I tell them to pick another one and I tell them why. If they can't or wont, I go elsewhere.

[TrudyM]

You really need to freeze all three credit reporting agencies. Experian, Trans Union and Equifax. This is free if over 65. It causes very little problems. If for any reason I need my credit checked by a bank or something, I just ask which of the three agencies do you use and unfreeze just that one. Except Experian. I will never unfreeze that one for any reason. Don't want to give them any business. If you go online to get your free annual credit report, two are very easy and straight forward, but Experian always gives you problems and tries to sell you something to get it. Part of their marketing plan. So they will never get any business from my account. It will remain frozen forever. If someone says the use them, I tell them to pick another one and I tell them why. If they can't or wont, I go elsewhere.

Ok I have usually agreed with your advice on this forum so I guess I will have to figure out how to freeze my credit reports. The info should be online somewhere.

And I think Experian is terrible, any time we have moved and bought a new home Experian has had our info all wrong they keep adding our son's credit items into our account even though his first name is different and he is in his 30's, luckily he pays his bills on time.

[l2ridehd]

Ok I have usually agreed with your advice on this forum so I guess I will have to figure out how to freeze my credit reports. The info should be online somewhere.

And I think Experian is terrible, any time we have moved and bought a new home Experian has had our info all wrong they keep adding our son's credit items into our account even though his first name is different and he is in his 30's, luckily he pays his bills on time.

Here is all the information and links needed on how to freeze it at all reporting agencies.

First pull the free annual report from each agency and make sure it's correct. Make sure you save all the passwords and pin numbers in a safe place so that you can unfreeze them when needed. And I bet that EVERYONE who does this will find they have problems with Experian and the other two go smooth. And Experian will try to get you to buy a report vs giving it to you free as required by law. Don't give in. Make them provide it. They will try scare tactics, false information, ask security questions that no matter what you answer they will claim it's wrong, anything to get you to pay. Don't do it.

Below you'll find directions and links to assist you in obtaining your credit freeze or thaw from each bureau:
EQUIFAX CREDIT FREEZE - [Website]
• Credit freezes may be done online or by certified mail - return receipt requested.
• Check your state's listing for the exact cost of your credit freeze and to see if there is a reduction in cost if you are a senior citizen. (FL is free for over 65)
• Request your credit freeze by certified mail using this sample letter. Please note the attachments you must include.
• If your PIN is late arriving, call 1-888-298-0045 . They will ask you for some ID and arrange for your PIN to be sent to you in 4-7 days.
• Unfreeze: Do a temporary thaw of your Equifax credit freeze by snail mail, online or by calling 1-888-298-0045 .

EXPERIAN CREDIT FREEZE - [Website]
• Credit freezes may be done online or by certified mail - return receipt requested.
• Check your state's listing for the exact cost of your credit freeze and to see if there is a reduction in cost if you are a senior citizen.
• Request your credit freeze by certified mail using this sample letter. Please note the attachments you must include.
• You can also freeze a child's credit report. The information contained at this link is applicable for all three credit bureaus. You must first write a letter to each bureau to learn if your minor child has a credit report and if so, then you can proceed to freeze it.
• Unfreeze: Do a temporary thaw of your Experian credit freeze online or by calling 1-888-397-3742 .

TRANSUNION CREDIT FREEZE - [Website]
• Credit freezes may be done online, by phone ( 1-888-909-8872 ) or by certified mail - return receipt requested. (Some users have reported difficulty with the online method. Please try one of the other options if you too experience difficulty.)
• Check your state's listing for the exact cost of your credit freeze and to see if there is a reduction in cost if you are a senior citizen.
• Request your credit freeze by certified mail using this sample letter. Please note the attachments you must include.
• Unfreeze: Do a temporary thaw of your TransUnion credit freeze online or by calling 1-888-909-8872 .

Link for sample letter.

Sample Letter To Request a Credit Freeze | www.clarkhoward.com (http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/consumer-issues-id-theft/sample-letter-request-credit-freeze/nWhSw/)

[Easyrider]

I just had someone steal and use my credit card number. The people/computer at Chase caught it and declined the charges and then cancelled the card and said they would inform experian. It got caught because we were swiping the card in Seattle at the same time someone was trying to use the number in Covina Calif.
I didn't put a freeze on my credit should I have do you think? This happened a few years back and I didn't freeze anything and it was ok. Real pain as it was the day before we left to come here and I couldn't get a replacement card as I wouldn't be home to sign for it, had to fall back on my second card no miles :(

Hubby relies on me to handle this kind of thing I don't want to screw up.

Trudy


A credit freeze won't do anything to protect the cards/accounts you have open already. Just prevents a new account from being opened..

[Carl in Tampa]

Justjim - what do you think makes TV "...a perfect place for theft of this nature." and why do you think so? I can't see how TV is any different than where I live most of the year. In fact, our identity theft occurred in a spot far from the villages!

Not to answer for Justjim, he may have an answer of his own, but his is also the opinion of the lady I spoke with at the Social Security office.

The reason theft of Social Security numbers is so commonplace in The Villages is because there is a very high concentration of people using the relatively few medical facilities, doctor's offices, etc., and these are places where they must disclose their Social Security numbers.

In all probability virtually every one of the 100,000 residents of TV has disclosed their Social Security to one or more medical facilities in this area. That makes this a "target rich" environment for identity thieves.

Although it is true that most of the people in other areas also have disclosed their SSANs to medical facilities, there many more facilities and they are more widespread (as in Tampa) than is the case with TV.

I can only say that the lady at the Social Security office said that statistically TV has a very high incidence of SSAN theft.

:shrug:

[TrudyM]

A credit freeze won't do anything to protect the cards/accounts you have open already. Just prevents a new account from being opened..

I am checking the charges online over coffee every morning. Also spot checking my bank account online. If anyone ever gets access to my Morgan Stanley I am toast. I don't do facebook or tweet, this is the only place any personal info is and I try to remember to not post too much personal data. But I would hate to arrive home only to find out someone had put a mortgage on my house.

[Easyrider]

I am checking the charges online over coffee every morning. Also spot checking my bank account online. If anyone ever gets access to my Morgan Stanley I am toast. I don't do facebook or tweet, this is the only place any personal info is and I try to remember to not post too much personal data. But I would hate to arrive home only to find out someone had put a mortgage on my house.


Really good idea to check them daily and it's also really important to have a really strong (complicated) password too.

Article below is from Yahoo Finance and has some good information..


Two Million Passwords Snatched From Facebook, Google, Twitter and Others
24/7 Wall St. By Trey Thoelcke
December 5, 2013 7:20 AM

As if there weren't enough reminders for Internet users to frequently change their passwords, this week came news that more than 2 million accounts on some of the most popular social media sites have been compromised in a hack that began in October and may be ongoing.

Chicago-based cybersecurity group Trustwave said that more than 1.5 million website login credentials and more than 300,000 email passwords were stolen from a server in the Netherlands. More than 300,000 of the passwords were snatched from Facebook Inc. (FB), almost 60,000 from Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) and more than 50,000 from Google Inc. (GOOG). Twitter Inc. (TWTR) and LinkedIn Corp. (LNKD) were not spared, with more than 21,000 and more than 8,000, respectively, acquired by the malware.

Also hit was payroll services provider Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP), with nearly 8,000 passwords stolen.

All the companies were notified of the breach, and ADP, Facebook and others have reset the effected passwords of the compromised accounts. Accounts in nearly 100 countries were affected. Most of those accounts, more than 1.8 million, were in the Netherlands. More than 1,900 of the stolen passwords were from accounts in the United States.

Still, better safe than sorry when it comes to your passwords. Besides changing them frequently, using more secure passwords is always better. According to Trustwave, the most common passwords in this particular hack were along the lines of 123456, password, admin and 111111. Do any of those look familiar? If so, it may be time to rethink your password strategy.