[Anonymous]

All right, someone somehow got my credit card information and made a couple of online purchases under my name. I have reported it to the police, called the companies those transactions canceled, and called my credit card company and changed my credit card information. Is there anything else I can do to make sure this does not happen again?

[Anonymous]

That sucks big time. I myself am a victim of ID theft, they managed to obtain my social security number, birthday, etc. Unfortunately, simply getting your credit card isn't the worst that can happen – not that I'm saying this is what's going to happen in your case – but you have to be careful. I've received a 1099-MISC notice from a dating service in Florida for $2,000 I supposedly earned, I've had multiple online bank accounts opened in my name, etc. You've taken the appropriate steps – keep all your paperwork handy, especially the police report, because this may not be the end of it. I've also had to put a 7 year security freeze on my credit with the Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. This makes it difficult for the fraudsters to open any accounts in your name. Though it also makes it a bigger pain in tush for you since you also have to provide extra identification and paperwork if and when you need to make any large purchases, or apply for credit. Though it's a pain, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

If you've got a mailbox that's accessible to the public, try not to leave your mail in there for days – that's one way the crooks manage to obtain folks' account/personal information.

Good luck, I hope your situation doesn't get worse.

[mla1169]

Send a letter to each of the 3 credit reporting agencies and ask that a note be added to your credit report (and check all 3 at LEAST annually).

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

@bhmnrhpsdy

Thanks brother. I hope things are getting better on your end. And so far, with the exceptions of the 3 unauthorized transactions, it has been all quiet on the western front. Hopefully the police will have some updates as to who the perpetrator is.

@mla1169

Not to sound like a noob, but what are the 3 credit reporting agencies, and how does that help with identity theft?

P.S. Also, there is one important and kinda creepy detail: the shipping address for one the unauthorized transactions was actually to my home.

[Anonymous]

To answer your question regarding the credit reporting agencies, they are: Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. They are basically the three agencies that track people's credit.

mla1169's suggestion to check your report is so that you can review your report and ensure that no unauthorized transactions have made it onto your credit file, which would be possible if your identify has been stolen. Not everyone knows this, but you can get a free credit report annually > http://www.annualcreditreport.com

[Author]

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