Got a bill for a credit card I don't have

[Stojakapimp]

I got a bill or statement in the mail last week for a credit card account with Washington Mutual (goes through Providian?) that I don't even have. At least not that I know of. It says that I paid like $158.53 a couple weeks ago and that I still owe about $2.00. I show no records of ever paying this money and have no idea what it could be for. Plus the statement doesn't show what the money was used to buy.

So I called Providian to check about the account and gave them my supposed account number. But when they asked for my social security number, I refused to tell them as I'm not even a customer and don't wish to give that information out. Then they tell me that without that information there's nothing I can do and that they can't help me in any way.

What do you think I should do? Should I just give them my SS#? I mean it's through Providian which is a legit company, so I shouldn't be worried about anything right?

EDIT: Ugh....so apparantly my dad has an account with them under my name. I asked him and he said that he did make that payment a couple weeks ago. I'm not sure how they got my new address, but it's nice to know that I have an account with them.

 

[chrisms]

Get a copy of your credit report?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Was it addressed to you?

If so, I'm going with identity theft FTL. Go to the actual bank.

- M4H

 

[JackRipper]

this is an awesome community u mite look into

 

[jakedeez]

Goto the bank, or call the bank, but get the phone number from the website, don't call from teh number on the statement.... also get yourself a credit report, on the double. Also, consider calling the police (non-emergency) and asking them what you should do. (the sooner a police report is filed if it is identity theft, the better)

 

[Golgatha]

See if you can access the account Online using your SS#. If it works, that means they already have your information and you can call them up to close the account. Notify the big three credit reporting agencies to lock down any accounts after a certain date and not allow new accounts to be opened. File a police report.

 

[leftyman]

Originally posted by: chrisms
Get a copy of your credit report?

:thumbsup:

 

[mzkhadir]

Originally posted by: leftyman

Originally posted by: chrisms
Get a copy of your credit report?

:thumbsup:

 

[Stojakapimp]

Originally posted by: Golgatha
See if you can access the account Online using your SS#. If it works, that means they already have your information and you can call them up to close the account. Notify the big three credit reporting agencies to lock down any accounts after a certain date and not allow new accounts to be opened. File a police report.

I can't register because it asks for the 3 digit security code on the back of the card. But since I don't have a card, then I don't know what to put

 

[Stojakapimp]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Was it addressed to you?

If so, I'm going with identity theft FTL. Go to the actual bank.

- M4H

Yeah, it was addressed to me, and to my new address that I've only had for not even 2 months.

Even if it is identity theft, my only bank account shows no payments for the amount on the credit card bill. So as far as I can tell, I haven't lost any money yet.

 

[Stojakapimp]

Originally posted by: jakedeez
Goto the bank, or call the bank, but get the phone number from the website, don't call from teh number on the statement.... also get yourself a credit report, on the double. Also, consider calling the police (non-emergency) and asking them what you should do. (the sooner a police report is filed if it is identity theft, the better)

If I call the local bank and they ask for the last 4 digits of my SS#, should I go ahead and give it to them?

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp
Yeah, it was addressed to me, and to my new address that I've only had for not even 2 months.

Even if it is identity theft, my only bank account shows no payments for the amount on the credit card bill. So as far as I can tell, I haven't lost any money yet.

Well, so far you owe whatever has been charged on that card .

 

[chrisms]

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp

Originally posted by: jakedeez
Goto the bank, or call the bank, but get the phone number from the website, don't call from teh number on the statement.... also get yourself a credit report, on the double. Also, consider calling the police (non-emergency) and asking them what you should do. (the sooner a police report is filed if it is identity theft, the better)

If I call the local bank and they ask for the last 4 digits of my SS#, should I go ahead and give it to them?

If you are really concerned about giving out your SS# to the bank, get yourself a credit report. You will see if you have an account with them already and if you do, they have your SS# already. You will also see what else the identity thief has opened up in your name. If you do give them your number make sure to call the telephone number listed on the bank's website, not on the statement.

The first thing you need to do is get a credit report and see what kind of situation you're in. Unless you want to get another credit card bill next month from someone else.

 

[SuperNaruto]

anything on your credit report yet ? better call ur bank to make sure they stop any large withdrawls.. or make a note, positive id before withdrawal..

 

[Stojakapimp]

Nevermind everyone. See OP for details. But thank you for all the help and suggestions

 

[Amused]

Why is your dad taking credit out in your name?

 

[leftyman]

Does he realize he can be arrested for credit fraud?

 

[thomsbrain]

so basically your dad is stealing your identity? call the cops on him.

 

[D1gger]

WTF!! Why is your Dad using your name, and potentially screwing up your credit rating! I would get that credit card account cancelled now.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: D1gger
WTF!! Why is your Dad using your name, and potentially screwing up your credit rating! I would get that credit card account cancelled now.

Yesterday.

If your dad thinks it's okay to steal your identity, you have no obligation whatsoever to be nice and let him use your good name. Nip this in the bud.

 

[chrisms]

It is possible the OP is young and his dad is getting a credit card in his name to build credit for him. My friends parents do this, using the card to pay bills and such. It all depends on their relationship and his age.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: chrisms
It is possible the OP is young and his dad is getting a credit card in his name to build credit for him. My friends parents do this, using the card to pay bills and such. It all depends on their relationship and his age.

If that were the case, his dad would have told him about it ahead of time. There is no good reason to keep it secret.

 

[chrisms]

Originally posted by: sixone

Originally posted by: chrisms
It is possible the OP is young and his dad is getting a credit card in his name to build credit for him. My friends parents do this, using the card to pay bills and such. It all depends on their relationship and his age.

If that were the case, his dad would have told him about it ahead of time. There is no good reason to keep it secret.

That's why I say it depends on their relationship, many parents are still very much in control of their kids lives even after they turn 18. The kids allow them to be and something like this would be normal. My ex is 20 and her dad always checked her bank account to make sure she wasn't going into debt.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: chrisms

Originally posted by: sixone

Originally posted by: chrisms
It is possible the OP is young and his dad is getting a credit card in his name to build credit for him. My friends parents do this, using the card to pay bills and such. It all depends on their relationship and his age.

If that were the case, his dad would have told him about it ahead of time. There is no good reason to keep it secret.

That's why I say it depends on their relationship, many parents are still very much in control of their kids lives even after they turn 18. The kids allow them to be and something like this would be normal. My ex is 20 and her dad always checked her bank account to make sure she wasn't going into debt.

Damn, that's insane.
My parents don't have a clue about my finances. (20 btw, at university).

 

[imported_weadjust]

Alot of parents ruin their kids credit because they have already ruined their own credit. It's the gift that keeps on giving.