ID THEFT VICTIM STORY
My identity theft story started in January 2005. I was moving and misplaced some documents, so I went online to put a credit alert on my credit reports. The first thing I did was casually look through the free copy of my credit report I printed out. It was 17 pages long.
That is when I noticed accounts that were in collections for services and products I never signed up for. I was floored!
I decided I had better call the companies listed and see what was going on. It was late in the evening but I could only get through to one collection agency. They gave me some information about the accounts.
Someone had opened cellular phone service in my name as well as cable tv and who knows what else that isn't showing up on my credit yet.
This is such a violating experience. And then I wonder if a stranger did this or maybe was it someone that i knew? I have no clue yet.
I have filed police reports in two counties and it has been over a month and I have not heard anything back from them.
Finally just yesterday Feb 3, I got a call from the Dallas police department. The detective spoke to me and asked for me some additional information.
She told me that they are receiving on average of 5 new identity theft cases PER DAY.
I am also looking for employment so my bad credit is going hurt my chances for getting a good job offer. If I fill out an application or apply online and it asks permission for a credit check there is no chance they would consider me for a job there.
I have resorted to mentioning that I am identity theft victim in my job interviews. This is very embarrassing but what else can I do? At least I have no criminal history 'that I know of.'
I am so angry. I have made call after call after call, I have sent certified letters and I keep getting treated like I am the one to blame. I do search after search on the internet and I still can't find any listings for identity theft support groups. Why not!!??? I want to talk about this, I want to get this cleared up.
If you are reading this I am sure you can relate. If it hasn't happened to you I sure hope you are lucky and that it doesn't.
My advice is shred everything, get a locked mailbox or use a P.O. Box, lock everything up, check your credit reports often, and good luck.
Skye
skyshagster@yahoo.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Identity_theft_clearinghouse/
Story submitted on: 2005-03-04 00:00:00.0.