Identity theft protection

[Noah930]

It's gotten a bit ridiculous. There are always people scamming credit cards, but it's been much more personal recently. Last fall someone tried to file a Covid relief small business loan under my name. I had signed up for a credit monitoring service, so I was informed when that happened. Last month, someone tried to file a tax return for me. I think it was related, as some of the info used for the fraudulent SBA loan app was used for the tax return, too. Then this past weekend someone tried to open a credit card under my name. All of these require my SS#, amongst other vital info.

As mentioned, I've signed up for a credit monitoring service (Experian IIRC) that informed me of two of the above events--Turbo Tax told me of the fraudulent tax return. But what else can I do to protect myself? Credit lock? Social security PIN?

[Dantilla]

Credit freeze.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Noah930

It's gotten a bit ridiculous. There are always people scamming credit cards, but it's been much more personal recently. Last fall someone tried to file a Covid relief small business loan under my name. I had signed up for a credit monitoring service, so I was informed when that happened. Last month, someone tried to file a tax return for me. I think it was related, as some of the info used for the fraudulent SBA loan app was used for the tax return, too. Then this past weekend someone tried to open a credit card under my name. All of these require my SS#, amongst other vital info.

As mentioned, I've signed up for a credit monitoring service (Experian IIRC) that informed me of two of the above events--Turbo Tax told me of the fraudulent tax return. But what else can I do to protect myself? Credit lock? Social security PIN?

You are already compromised. Your SS# is out there.

Sorry to say but expect this **** for years to come.

Do the credit locks, continue the monitoring services, cut up and cancel debit cards.

Use MFA / 2FA on all your financial accounts and if they don't offer it close those accounts because even the last 4 of your SS is often enough to validate who you are and gain access without additional safeguards.

Get a copy of your Social Security benefits statement at www.ssa.gov/myaccount to find out whether anyone is using your number.

Check with the Post Office to see if a change of address has been filed.

Report the identity theft here IdentityTheft.gov

Notify all your creditors about the situation.

This is no joke, happened to my mother, she's been dealing with it at least a decade.

It really never ends.

Sorry

[Evans, Marv]

As a matter of fact, I got a letter yesterday from the "Center for Sustainable Energy" saying their data base had been hacked & they think the hackers got my name & S.S. # and additionally offering a complimentary $1M identity protection service. I've had my credit frozen for several years. so I don't thiink they'll succeed trying to open any accounts. It's a damned shame everybody has to be so vulnerable to this crap. Plus all this happened last year, & they're just getting around to notifying people.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Credit freeze.

Yep.. did that several years ago when someone here recommended it. Me, my wife, and now two out of my three kids. Our information was compromised due to a medical records hack. It can be a PITA if you want to get a new credit card or a loan but other than that, not bad.

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

As a matter of fact, I got a letter yesterday from the "Center for Sustainable Energy" saying their data base had been hacked & they think the hackers got my name & S.S. # and additionally offering a complimentary $1M identity protection service. I've had my credit frozen for several years. so I don't thiink they'll succeed trying to open any accounts. It's a damned shame everybody has to be so vulnerable to this crap. Plus all this happened last year, & they're just getting around to notifying people.

If you call them to make use of that, do you know what information the geniuses will ask for to identify that it's really you they're talking to?

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

It really never ends.

It'll end when the worthless pieces of excrement who are storing personal data only to have that data hacked are held financially responsible.

[flatbutt]

Absolutely do the credit freeze. That's what I had to do. The attempts continued for months but I was protected. I also wrote letters to the IRS and SSA informing them of the existing fraud. Oh yeah I also put a report on file with the local police.

[red-beard]

You need to freeze all three credit reporting agencies. All of them have "plans" and usually the lowest level is free or near free. Locking and unlocking is free. I have them setup so that I can unlock them if I need to apply for a loan.

I have credit monitoring. In 2020, someone started an unemployment claim in my name. I received a debit/EBT card in the mail that I had not requested. I called up the company and thought the claim was Texas. Nope, Ohio.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by red-beard

You need to freeze all three credit reporting agencies. All of them have "plans" and usually the lowest level is free or near free. Locking and unlocking is free. I have them setup so that I can unlock them if I need to apply for a loan.

I have credit monitoring. In 2020, someone started an unemployment claim in my name. I received a debit/EBT card in the mail that I had not requested. I called up the company and thought the claim was Texas. Nope, Ohio.

Can I have my card back please?

FWIW, not all states have free lock/unlock service. I think it wasn't until recently that Ohio made it free to lock/unlock.

I always thought it was a bit odd that I had to pay Experian, Equifax or TransUnion to lock something that is mine in the first place. "Hey! We're collecting your personal information so that creditors can check it... and we're going to charge you to prevent fraudulent use of that information!" Gotta love it.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by cabmando

FWIW, not all states have free lock/unlock service. I think it wasn't until recently that Ohio made it free to lock/unlock.

Not true any longer!

https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-to-know-before-freezing-your-credit/

3. You Can Freeze Your Credit for Free

There is no fee associated with freezing or thawing your credit. Until recently, credit freezes carried fees that varied by state, but they're now free regardless of where you live in the U.S.

It's also free regardless of whether you've been a victim of identity theft. In the past, victims of identity theft may have had their fees waived, but now credit freezes are available for free to everyone.

[cabmandone]

I was looking into that after I posted. It seems there was a bill passed that made freezing and thawing free. But a freeze and a lock are not the same.

https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-lock-your-credit/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/09/21/equifax-free-credit-freeze-new-law/1377815002/

[GH85Carrera]

It is too late now, but be very protective of your SSN. The ONLY people that ever got my SSN number were me employers, and the banks and credit unions I used. Everyone else got a blank, or a SSN number like 555-55-5555. Some doctor's offices insist on a SSN but they have no legal reason to receive it.

For the adults that have used the SSN for years, a credit lock is about all you can do. And be 100% certain you have all the answers and know how to unlock it if necessary.

[cabmandone]

Used to be you were NEVER supposed to give out your SSN... now everyone requires it. Some genius should come up with a better form of identification for credit purposes.. But sadly there isn't anyone smart enough to do such a thing.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

It is too late now, but be very protective of your SSN. The ONLY people that ever got my SSN number were me employers, and the banks and credit unions I used. Everyone else got a blank, or a SSN number like 555-55-5555. Some doctor's offices insist on a SSN but they have no legal reason to receive it.

For the adults that have used the SSN for years, a credit lock is about all you can do. And be 100% certain you have all the answers and know how to unlock it if necessary.

That's the crazy thing. My daughter removed the freeze on hers by calling experian and didn't even have to provide the security number that is supposed to be required to remove the freeze. They don't give a damn. And until someone takes them to task for not verifying the person applying for credit is actually that person, they never will give a damn.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Used to be you were NEVER supposed to give out your SSN... now everyone requires it. Some genius should come up with a better form of identification for credit purposes.. But sadly there isn't anyone smart enough to do such a thing.

Just say NO! There is no reason whatsoever to give your SSN to anyone that is not your employer, or the bank or credit union. NO ONE else requires it. I had one doctors office get all upset, so I just gave their lady a fake number and that made the computer she was entering the info on happy. Eff em. They have my identity from my driver's license, and home address. I can provide several forms of ID, and none are my SSN.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Just say NO! There is no reason whatsoever to give your SSN to anyone that is not your employer, or the bank or credit union. NO ONE else requires it. I had one doctors office get all upset, so I just gave their lady a fake number and that made the computer she was entering the info on happy. Eff em. They have my identity from my driver's license, and home address. I can provide several forms of ID, and none are my SSN.

Yeah I walked on a provider over the same thing.

They only want it because it's easier to track you down if you are a dead beat.

Only benefits them, not us.

You should have seen her face after I told her "fine, I will supply that info after you have provided background checks for every single person with access to this facility including the cleaning crew. I want to visually inspect your security measures. I also require a full independent IT Security Audit. Please let me know when you have all that for my review and I'll be back".

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cabmando

I was looking into that after I posted. It seems there was a bill passed that made freezing and thawing free. But a freeze and a lock are not the same.

https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-lock-your-credit/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/09/21/equifax-free-credit-freeze-new-law/1377815002/

interesting

What's the Difference Between a Credit Lock and a Security Freeze?

While the end results are similar, credit locks and credit freezes are different. The major differences are as follows:

Credit freezes are free, and their availability is mandated under federal law. They may be obtained online, by phoning or sending mail to Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. Unlike credit lock services, you can request credit freezes for your children under the age of 16, as well as for yourself.
The credit bureaus are required to complete a freeze on your credit file within 24 hours of receiving a phone request and must lift the freeze within one hour following a phone request.
When managing your credit freeze from a given bureau, you will create credentials you must use when requesting the freeze's removal or temporary lift.
Credit locks let you control access to your credit files directly, via smartphone apps or a secure website.
After registering with Experian and verifying your identity with us, you can turn access to your credit file on and off instantly via smartphone app or online, as well as receive real-time alerts via CreditLock about attempted access to your credit, when you lock your credit.

When either a credit lock or credit freeze is in effect, access to your credit file is limited for purposes of credit checks related to loan and credit applications, but certain entities are still permitted to check your file, including the following:

You (you can always view your own credit report)
Creditors with whom you have a business relationship at the time the lock or freeze is activated
Landlords or rental agencies conducting background checks
Phone companies and utilities
Debt collection agencies trying to collect payments
Child support agencies seeking to set the amount of child support
Lenders and credit companies who have prescreened you for credit offers
Insurance underwriters acting with your authorization
Potential employers you have granted permission
Government agencies acting according to court orders or warrants

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Used to be you were NEVER supposed to give out your SSN... now everyone requires it. Some genius should come up with a better form of identification for credit purposes.. But sadly there isn't anyone smart enough to do such a thing.

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Just say NO! There is no reason whatsoever to give your SSN to anyone that is not your employer, or the bank or credit union. NO ONE else requires it. I had one doctors office get all upset, so I just gave their lady a fake number and that made the computer she was entering the info on happy. Eff em. They have my identity from my driver's license, and home address. I can provide several forms of ID, and none are my SSN.

Interesting. I guess this is like the frog in the boiling water. I can't even think of places that I've provided my SSN, but I feel like it may be places like Dr and hospitals, cell provider and that sort of thing. Hospitals and Dr offices should be pretty secure due to HIPAA, but I'm sure, especially the small Dr offices, are probably not as secure as they should be as that sort of security isn't cheap or easy.

My information was part of one of the govt agency hacks from 5-10 years ago, so they provided free protection for myself and my wife. I think it was only supposed to be 3 years, but I'm pretty sure it's still active because I still occasionally get emails.

[cabmandone]

Like I said, some genius should come up with a new ID number for the purpose of credit reporting. That or come up with a new SSN system that IS NOT used as a form of credit identification. But no one that has this power actually gives a damn.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Just say NO! There is no reason whatsoever to give your SSN to anyone that is not your employer, or the bank or credit union. NO ONE else requires it. I had one doctors office get all upset, so I just gave their lady a fake number and that made the computer she was entering the info on happy. Eff em. They have my identity from my driver's license, and home address. I can provide several forms of ID, and none are my SSN.

I had to give it to two identity-verification services in November to sign up for online prescription-writing privileges. California (and a lot of other states) now mandate electronic prescription-writing. As in, it is no longer legal tender to write paper prescriptions. For controlled-substances, there's a two-factor authentication process--for the provider to prove that they're really them when writing for a narcotic, for example. For one employer and for another clinic, I had to sign up for those services.

Yes, it could purely be by coincidence, but I signed up for one on a Thursday and the other on a Friday, and by Monday someone had filed a Covid-relief SBA loan under my name.

But what can I do? I have to give out my SSN in order to work, even if it's not tied to income-reporting and the IRS. There's no way around it.

Years ago there was a hack of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and thousands of medical providers had their vital info accessed. Again, what can I do? Not accept insurance?