Identity Theft Questions

[craigster59]

I've just spent all morning cancelling credit cards, closing bank accounts etc. It started when I received an e mail alert from Chase Bank that my password for online banking had been changed. I called Chase and got it straightened out (so I thought).

Then a few hours later I receive an email from Paypal that my password had been changed. Talked to Paypal and the gal said that usually if your passwords are the same for banking, Paypal, Amazon, etc. they just put in your email and password and they're off to the races.

I thought all was good until this A.M. I get a call from Comchek that 2 wire transfers were made on my Chase Visa credit card for a total of $1,400. They tried to make a third but the woman in their fraud division got wise and called me at work. It seems this effing lowlife was able to forward my cell number to his phone so that when anyone called to question the charges he would just tell them it was good and to proceed. She also told me he had my social, birth date and other info.

My question is, how did he get this info? I called ATT and the forwarded number is a local number. Did he hack e mail? Anyone who has been through it or has input it would be greatly appreciated.

[stomachmonkey]

They could have gotten your social from any number of places.

Recently had a course of chiropractic work that needed to be done.

Not covered by my policy so I was a cash customer.

They wanted my SS#. I said no. I'm a cash customer.

They said their billing required it. I said no. The only reason you need that is if I don't pay. You can bang my card before each treatment if you want.

Office Manager comes over and says they need it.

I said you and your staff seem like nice people but how do I know, pointing at the receptionist, that this one here won't turn out to be a lousy employee who grabs a bunch of info before you fire her? Or someone won't throw a brick through that front door and yank the computer off the desk.

I then asked to see their records storage. I wanted to ensure it was locked and enquired who in the facility had access to it.

They kinda looked at me and did not say a word as I turned and left.

My advice, get Lifelock for now.

It won't protect your bank account but if your number is out there they'll be using it to open accounts you don't and won't know about till it's too late. If they have not already.

Call all 3 credit agencies and put a lock on activity.

Good luck, this stuff tends to be a nightmare for a while and you now need to stay hyper vigilant for a few years at least.

[GH85Carrera]

That really sucks. Just keep on top of it.

Just today I thought to check my credit report. It all looks fine but there is one old credit card I thought I had canceled long ago that is still shown as active. I will close it on Monday.

I was amazed to see they have stuff on there back to 2003. It is all good but I was amazed to see stuff that old.

This is the site for a legitimate free credit report. Everyone should check their credit often.

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

[craigster59]

I put a freeze on my credit with Experian and changed passwords, accounts, etc. But I can't understand how they were able to forward my calls to their phone. The gal at ATT said they would physically have to go into the settings on my phone to do it. We have a new phone network at work where they can forward work calls to my cell, wondering if that's how it was done.

[stomachmonkey]

Were you receiving calls on your phone other than the card companies?

If yes it sounds more like they changed your contact info once they got into your account.

[Z-man]

Can you call your cell phone # and track where it forwards to? You may be able to catch a break - espeically if the perp doesn't know you are on to him yet...

-Z

[craigster59]

Yes, some how he was able to have all my calls to my cell (my main contact number) forwarded to his phone. When Chase or some other institution would call me, he would answer and tell them the charges were good.

The wire transfers went to a Jacob Jimenez, and my calls were forwarded to (818)927-9490, which is a local number. I was able to call him from my work phone and pretty much told him what I do to scumbags like him. Of course he hung up. He knows my info is no good to him anymore, at least for now. Just chaps my hide.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Were you receiving calls on your phone other than the card companies?

If yes it sounds more like they changed your contact info once they got into your account.

No, all calls were forwarded to his cell phone. I think he just called ATT, gave them the last 4 numbers in my social and had them forward my calls to his number. Sneaky bastards. I did run Malwarebytes on my computer and 7 threats were detected. Deleted those, changed all passwords (different passwords for each account) cancelled all credit cards, closed bank account, put credit freeze through Experian. Man, like I didn't have enough crap to do today. At least my damage was minimal (so far).

[Chocaholic]

Can't his cell phone be traced back to him by the number? Seems if you have his phone number, you're way ahead of the game...unless it's a stolen cell phone. Anyone know if such a trace is possible?

[masraum]

I would think that there would be some LE agency that you could contact, local, federal, something like that.

[craigster59]

Yeah, I'm going to get the police involved. It just stumps me how this guy could have gone all the way, from accessing banking websites, figuring out passwords, changing my phone settings, just unbelievable. I'll tell ya, I'm changing everything when it comes to managing personal data.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by craigster59

No, all calls were forwarded to his cell phone. I think he just called ATT, gave them the last 4 numbers in my social and had them forward my calls to his number. Sneaky bastards. I did run Malwarebytes on my computer and 7 threats were detected. Deleted those, changed all passwords (different passwords for each account) cancelled all credit cards, closed bank account, put credit freeze through Experian. Man, like I didn't have enough crap to do today. At least my damage was minimal (so far).

Likely what he did.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Can't his cell phone be traced back to him by the number? Seems if you have his phone number, you're way ahead of the game...unless it's a stolen cell phone. Anyone know if such a trace is possible?

Probably a google voice number set up using OP's own info.

Or pay as you go burner.

[porsche930dude]

we always burn everything with a name adresse or any personal info on it whatsoever. dont know how effective it is but cant hurt

[Joe Bob]

Hunt him or her down, we can do a blanket party and then shoot their ass.

Cops won't do a thing. ID theft should be like horse theft. Vigilante justice.

[Baz]

Sorry to hear about this Craig - what a pain in the....

We should track the douche down and then leave him in a room with Craig T's dog for a few minutes. Then (if he's still breathing) do what Z said above...

[craigster59]

I have the cell number so I might call this weekend offering him a great deal on a "New Chase Platinum Card with unlimited executive priviliges". I just hate scumbags.

What I've learned from this is:

1. No repetitive passwords on accounts

2. Have your cell provider require a PIN text to your cell phone before any account/call changes can be made (so they can verify). You can forward calls but you can't forward texts.

3. Make sure your home WiFi is password protected (mine was, with the same password as my bank,Paypal) and make it long and tough.

Probably normal stuff to think of, but according to all the fraud prevention people I've talked to today, these guys are getting smarter and smarter (they had some horror stories).

[john70t]

Jacob Jimenez Phone and Address | Zabasearch.com Free People Search in the San Fernando Valley.

Wire transfer = He had to open a bank account, and pass federal screening = real name.
There shouldn't be a reason the local cops wouldn't pick up an easy case.

[stomachmonkey]

The best way to do passwords is to use 3 or more word phrases.

"Craig likes chili" is easier to remember than a random 6 character password like "y3klh7".

Random character passwords can be brute forced in a matter of months.

Pass phrases can take 2,000 years to brute force.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by craigster59

The wire transfers went to a Jacob Jimenez, and my calls were forwarded to (818)927-9490, which is a local number. I was able to call him from my work phone and pretty much told him what I do to scumbags like him. Of course he hung up. He knows my info is no good to him anymore, at least for now. Just chaps my hide.

I hope you sounded like that on the phone Craig!

Sorry to hear about this, damn crooks are everywhere!