Alright, someone is using my Social # to try and get credit cards and loans...fraud.
This is a long post so bare with me please.
On July 12, 2004 I got a letter stating that I had been denied a credit card from Monogram Credit Card BAnk of Georgia. First of all I live in TX, 2nd, I hadnt applied for a credit card, 3rd it was because on July 12, I was still 17. So we sent a letter to them as well as T.U. Consumer Relations, Equifax Credit Information Services and Experian asking them why they are running a credit report on a 17 year old kid without request from me to do so. Also stating that as for the denial for credit, obviously a 17 year old kid wouldnt have much...if any, credit to report and that now I have a denial on my record without a request from me in the frirst place.
Today I got my credit report from TransUnion (T.U.). It reads on as so....

Re: Policy on Credit Limit.

A denial, cancellation, or decrease in credit limit may be due to serveral factors based on creditors' different lending policies.

TransUnion does not make the decision to grant of deny credit. We supply credit history to entities that evaluat the information while making a decision.

Only the creditor can infrom you of the reason for denial, cancellation, or decrease in credit limit. You may wish to contact your credito for any explnation of their decision.

Sincerely, T.U.

They also sent my credit report which read as follows.

The following companiaes have recieved your credit report. Their inquiries remain on your credit report for two weeks.

Subscriber Name
American Eagle/MCCBG
1/600 Summer St, Stamford, Ct
Date, 07/08/2004

Well we found out Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia supplies credit cards for Lowe's and Home Depot.
About a month or so back I filled out an application for Lowe's, giving them my SS#.
I really dont know what to do now. The Fraud Company said that I have to prove it all. I dont know if applying to Lowe's has anything to do with this but right now I think it might.
Any guidence please would serioulsy help. I was gonna try and get a loan out in a month or so for the a new truck that Im getting but with this I dont know how hard it is gonna be or if it will ruin my chances for a while.
Thanks to any who have read this far. I know its long, sorry. I dont know what to do at this point.

 

What did you fill the application out for? A C-card, employment, what???

Many employers run a credit check as part of the employment screening process.

 

i would say it happened online. its the easiest way to get your info. and being just 18 they have the best chance at getting a card. check with any site that asked for your s.s.# to join. if lowes is the only place you've filled out a credit app. then theres a good chance someone there got ahold of it. im sorry that i cant help you fix it but ive never had this happen to me.

 

I have never had to enter my SS# online before. As for the application, sorry I didnt clarify, It was for employment. Also I got that letter on july 12th, well I didnt apply to Lowes till after I turned 18 (July 24th) which is why Im not sure if Lowes has anything to do with it

 

I found something else, apparently MCCBG (Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia) has quit a few complaints...

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/credi...ono_lowes.html

The second complaint from the top is what interests me the most.

 

Somewhere around 70% of all identity theft is from inside sources. As someone who saw your application took the s.s. number.

 

wow, not even 18 and its already happening, good luck. seriously, do your homework, I cant say what I would like to b/c it is illegal but believe me, change your SS# if it gets worse.

 

Call the three credit reporting companies and see if it is possible for them to block anyone from getting your credit report without your permission. Then, provided they can do it, ask them how you go about giving permission to those you wish to obtain credit from. I have ideas how this can be done, but let them explain the policy to you.

 

Go to your local Social Security office with every piece of documentation you have, explain to them what happened, and they will issue you a new SS#. ID theft is such a hot button these days (as it should be) that they don't want to appear unresponsive to people in trouble because of a number the government says you HAVE to have.

A few years back, women were getting killed by ex-husbands because they couldn't get away from them. Someone is always traceable by their SS#. At that point the SSA was refusing to issue someone a new number for any reason. Unfortunately, a few women had to get killed, but the bureaucrats finally changed their mind, and now it is possible to get a new number.

When you do get a new number, learn that there are very few legitimate reasons to give it out. One is to obtain credit. Two is to obtain a job (and I only give it out on my first day - not to every job I apply for, even if the application asks for it). Three is to obtain a driver's license (and that's in most states).

Never carry your social security card in your wallet, and NEVER have it printed on your license. If I find your wallet with your name, DOB, and SS# in it, I can get a driver's license, passport, etc. in your name so easy you wouldn't believe it. It's child's play.

 

Listen to cowboybily....I had my id stolen when I donated blood. Call the three major credit bureaus (experion, transunion and equifax) and have them place a fraud alert on your and your spouses ssn's. Part of having the fraud alert placed on your ssn means that the credit bureau's will send you a credit report. Then just go through the credit report and start calling anyone that has inquired on your ssn and explain that it was a fraudulent inquiry (there's a section with recent inquiries). They will send you an affidavid that you need to fill out (you will need a police file number for this). Eventually it will be cleared up and you will not be held responsible for any fraudulent purchases. It sounds pretty bad and it sucks, but it only took me a week or two of phone calls to get all of the paperwork, and it was completely cleared up in about 3 months. By the way - the fraud alert also means that anyone who is going to open an account in your name will have to call you for approval. This can be a pita, but peace of mind is worth something...these alerts also do expire after a while (depends on the credit bureau).

Good luck.

Matt

 

Cool thanks. Im going to san antonio this weekend so I wont be able to call to get paperwork till monday. We called today and had a notice put on my ss# so that like you said if someone opens something they have to call me to make sure its mine or not.

 

hey there guy, sorry to here what has happened to you.

I have done many investigations pertaining to Identity theft and even had occassion to write a training course for police on detecting Identity fraud while on traffic stops (ie giving a bogus name to hide ya license or warrant status). Drop me an email through my profile, I have a booklet from the FTC that covers exactly what you should do under teh cercumstances. I can scan it and email it back to you. Has some very good information. I originally got the book while writing my course from a MVA investigator and good friend. She actually was invited to Congress to testify on the matter. The book is good stuff.

I will save the scan in case any one else would like it, just drop me an email.

Ron