Problem: Identity theft?

[spanky]

alright, i think i might have a problem here. i have no idea how this happened, but it did. my dad apparently left some documents in an envelope in the post office. those documents had personal information (name, address, DOB, SS#) of my dad, mom, sister, and me. my dad went back to the post office and only found an empty envelope. i don't know if someone took those documents and threw them out, or have malicious plans. what i'm wondering is... what is my best course of action to prevent some guy from stealing my identity (ie - applying for credit cards and going on shopping sprees)? any suggestions would be much appreciated. thanx!

 

[Scarpozzi]

I hope you live in a low-crime area. Most people would try to contact you if they had all your info. Wait patiently by the phone and be sure to notify the post office of the problem.

 

[ivol07]

I would say get one of those credit monitoring services too. That way you could at least take care of the problem quickly if it should arise.

 

[spanky]

bump

 

[n0cmonkey]

Smack your dad in the head. Notify your credit card companies. See if you can get a new SS#.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Smack your dad in the head. Notify your credit card companies. See if you can get a new SS#.

Getting a new SSN is a monumental task, and at this point surely overkill.

I'd get a credit monitoring service. However, for free you can get a fraud alert put on each SSN. Call Equifax for details.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Smack your dad in the head. Notify your credit card companies. See if you can get a new SS#.

Getting a new SSN is a monumental task, and at this point surely overkill.

I'd get a credit monitoring service. However, for free you can get a fraud alert put on each SSN. Call Equifax for details.

I've never tried. Might not be worth it. I guess it depends on how much your life is worth to you 😛

<<--paranoid

 

[V00DOO]

When someone stole my wallet, I signed up with Equifax credit watch and it monitors everything from opening credit card to closing a bank account.

 

[fatkorean]

I would call all the credit companies and put a fraud alert on them.

Also what was your dad doing with everyones SS, Bday etc at the post office for???

-fk

 

[rudder]

better sign up with the credi protection plan. That way if anyone applies for credit with your name or social, you will be notified. Probably worth the cost in your case. And charge it to your dad.

 

[kranky]

Do the fraud alert with the credit bureaus. That can stop trouble before it starts. If you rely only on the credit monitoring services, you already have problems before you find out.

 

[richardycc]

Originally posted by: fatkorean
I would call all the credit companies and put a fraud alert on them.

Also what was your dad doing with everyones SS, Bday etc at the post office for???

-fk

He was responding to an email from Nigeria, and they needed their SS, etc before they can send them a check.

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: richardycc

Originally posted by: fatkorean
I would call all the credit companies and put a fraud alert on them.

Also what was your dad doing with everyones SS, Bday etc at the post office for???

-fk

He was responding to an email from Nigeria, and they needed their SS, etc before they can send them a check.

Then the day is mine!

*runs to post office*

 

[V00DOO]

I would call all the credit companies and put a fraud alert on them.

Don't do the Fruad alert unless you want call the credit company every time you want to finance a stick of gum. Just go with the credit watch.