Identity thieves suck

[zxcvbob]

Yesterday I got some mail from Paypal Smart Connect that looked like a preapproved credit application.  I shredded it like I do all financially junk mail.  Today I got something from them again; this time it's a statement with a real-looking credit card number, a 29.99% interest rate, and $1095.90 balance.

I called the (866) number and told the nice Indian tech support guy that I did not have a Paypal credit card, had never opened an account, and WTF.  He was helpful; closed the account and started a fraud investigation at GE Capital, who I guess is their underwriter.  I asked about calling the credit agencies to freeze my credit and he said he was just about to recommend that, because they have *all* my identity info.  Then he wished me a happy birthday tomorrow.  

So I went to Equifax and filled out the web form for a 90 day freeze.  Now what?  Do I need to file a police report so I can get a 7-year freeze? Get a free copy of my credit report immediately, or wait a month? (this account was just opened a week ago and they happened to hit right at the end of the billing cycle)

I thought the "happy birthday" was a nice touch.

[brimic]

I had my run-in with this crap a year or so ago.
I got a notice from my brokerage company that my account was locked down.
Thankfully, they had some sort of computer algorythm that triggered my account to shut down when an IP address from indonesia placed an order using my account on some asian penny stock.
Apparantly there's a scam called 'pump and dump' where hackers buy a bunch of a penny stock, then used hacked accounts to buy as much of the same stock as quickly as possible then sell their own shares.

I'dlove to wring their skinny little necks.

[zxcvbob]

I'm pretty sure nobody hacked any of my accounts; they had to hack an employer or a financial company or the .gov to get my SSN and address and birthday, etc.  None of my accounts have that info visible.

But I think I might change all my passwords just to be safe.

[MechAg94]

I had my run-in with this crap a year or so ago.
I got a notice from my brokerage company that my account was locked down.
Thankfully, they had some sort of computer algorythm that triggered my account to shut down when an IP address from indonesia placed an order using my account on some asian penny stock.
Apparantly there's a scam called 'pump and dump' where hackers buy a bunch of a penny stock, then used hacked accounts to buy as much of the same stock as quickly as possible then sell their own shares.

I'dlove to wring their skinny little necks.

So did you make money on the trade? 

[brimic]

So did you make money on the trade? 

The trade never went through (thankfully).

[P5 Guy]

To my mind Identity Theft should be a capital offense.
Murder steals your life, rape steals your life. The ID thief also steals your life. Why is there a difference in the punishment?
Just my thoughts.

[vaskidmark]

To my mind Identity Theft should be a capitol capital offense.
Murder steals your life, rape steals your life. The ID thief also steals your life. Why is there a difference in the punishment?
Just my thoughts.

FIFY.

Those folks in the capitol are committing a different sort of crime that results in your life being stolen.

stay safe.

[Frank Castle]

Have you ordered anything from cabelas in the last month ?

The 2 time i got hit , was after i ordered from them !

[P5 Guy]

FIFY.

Yeah and them too. Shees the proof readers.

Those folks in the capitol are committing a different sort of crime that results in your life being stolen.

stay safe.