Okay, so I used to work in identity, birth, identity investigations etc. in Canada.
I see friends and family posting pictures of their baby in the hospital with that adorable baby card, that says the kids name, parents names, dob, birth weight, and often has the hospital on it...
That card has everything someone needs to steal your child's identity. They can request birth certificates with that information and they'll likely get it. From there it goes on to bank accounts, credit applications, and more.
Keep yourself and your kiddos safe and limit the information you share on social media. Keep out the hospital card in your photos. There are too many predatory people in the world today in the wings looking at your profile pictures hoping to get enough details to steal your identity, or worse, your kids.
Just wanted to share and raise awareness, it's the small things we don't think of that others prey on.
Edit to add: check out the info by u/ThisIsAMonere below. Very valuable info about editing pictures and saferty/privacy.
Everyone told me, including bank reps, not to worry. I'll get my money back. I'm being paranoid. But the worst case scenario has played out into reality. I'm on temporary disability while I'm under the care of a doctor at the VA for PTSD and other rehab. About a month ago now, someone hacked into my online account and did two maximum fund transfers of $3k, so, a total of $6k. I immediately put in a claim and have been waiting. During that time, I was told not to worry and that it couldn't happen again while I waited on my new card. I explained to them it didn't happen with my card, it happened online, in the actual account. I spoke to ten people over multiple calls and hours until someone finally understood what I was saying and they said we need to set up over the phone authentication. We did. Or so I thought. One week later it happened again as soon as the 7 day wait period went by to take out another fund transfer. They were able to somehow change all of my security questions and answers and my email on the account to log in. Again. All while my new card was still in the mail, which I ended up getting the next day. By the time I got that next card it had already been cancelled because of this latest incident. I finally got my newest card yesterday and was able to get the last bit of my funds out of the account to another bank. Today, I was told would be the day a decision should be made by on the first claim. It was, and it was denied. They aren't giving me reason beyond just that they see multiple times my email has changed. Yea...whoever did this changed it multiple times and then I also did change it once I found out that I could with them over the phone out of fear that the person was going to keep doing it. I also logged complaints because none of the reps even told me I can and should change my email with them over the phone while my account was locked due to the open claim.
I have dealt with nothing but incompetence over the phone with the reps. They didn't listen to me when I told them a new card wouldn't stop it from happening again. They didn't tell me I can and should change my email with them over the phone until it happened again. Multiple reps didn't ask me my security questions on my calls when I called to check the status, and when I called one of them on it and said "Aren't you supposed to ask me some security questions first?" she said "Hang on, let me check..." and then hung up.
I don't know what to do. This is all the money I had
... keep reading on reddit ➡Three years ago my mother let me use her up security debit card for a $80 purchase on the App Store . She has now said she did not give me permission and is threatening to turn me in for fraud and identity theft . I have recent texts and video of her saying I had permission and did nothing wrong but she is bipolar and likes to blackmail . What are my options ?
Mother gave me permission 3 years ago then revoked it for an $80 purchase . She is now threatening to report me . Any chance of time ?
Chances be found innocent are bellow average. Also according to my attorney, I could face more than 8 years in Feds. Its my first round in prison and I am bit anxious about it. I most probably will serve my time to low security facility that according to my attorney is "cake time" but I still don't know how to get my shit together and accept the fact that I am going to do time. I have been saving money, and I have my Father outside that he has promised putting money to my books while inside. What else should I prepare before going in? Can I bring books with me ?
Also, I am from Florida, any ideas where I might serve my time so I can do an research? Thank you in advance!
(TLDR: mum took a phone contract out in my name and I need to confront her on it but I don't wanna be a dick about it)
Heya reddit, I need some help.
I am currently trying to draft a text to my mother, explaining how I found out recently that she has taken out a phone contract in my name, not paid it and put the contract in default in June 2021. There is £1472 in outstanding payments.That default will now stay on my credit report till 2027, regardless of if it is paid off or not.
I have already decided I can't report her. She is the mother to my 5 younger siblings, her financial situation is shit as it is, and they need her. I can't let her actions impact them as well as myself, they've been through enough.
I fucking hate confrontation. I despise it. I've applied for therapy to help me deal with what's happened and to work on it.
But for now I need to find an assertive way of telling her that I know it was her, it can't happen again else I will report her. And I am forgiving her for this instance. Basically I need to be stern enough where she gets the message but not be a dick.
She didn't do it out of malice, she was just an idiot and didn't think I'd notice. She is trying to sort her life out atm and she is on a good path, she is working on her health and is finally starting to recover from the abuse my dad gave her (and us). She's even thinking of going into part time education. I know this will be hard for her to hear and will upset her a lot. But I don't want to ruin her motivation and make her relapse into her old ways.
So yeah, reddit. Help me out. Give it to me straight. How do I approach this?
Edit: some spelling mistakes needed correcting and I just wanted to say thank you for your help ♡
In early December a line of credit was fraudulently opened in my name. It's on my credit report. A couple weeks later I placed freezes and fraud alerts at the 3 major credit bureaus.
I've also followed most of the advice you guys list here: https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/identity_theft/
Placing freezes on various other systems in addition to filing a report with the FTC, which apparently just generates automated advice.
Anyway, today I received an email regarding a credit application that was placed today at avant.com.
So somehow someone was still able to request credit in my name despite having freezes and fraud alerts in place for weeks now. How is this possible? How much of my information is compromised for someone to be able to do this? It seems like they have everything.
Is there anything I can do, or do I have to just roll with it at this point?
Bank just called me on an 011 number. Wanted to check up on some recent flagged transactions on my account. Cool I am fully onboard, lets get to the bottom of this!
They then need me to answer some security questions. First is my address. I ask if they can give part of it and I will give the rest. Nope she wouldn't do it. Said no hints. I was like its not for a hint its so I know they are actually my bank and this isn't identity fraud attempt. Some more conversation on it, but she is not budging. So I say I will call the official fraud line and do the process there.
We end the call, I call the hotline. Did the security check with my full name and ID number. There was a legit trigger activated on my account, but for a transaction I just did. So the initial call was real.
Was I overreacting though? Do people just give their personal details like address and ID out to anyone that calls saying they are from an official service provider? Like I feel slightly guilty for not trusting the initial caller, but I also think just giving into that guilty feeling and exposing oneself to risk is stupid.
Could banks do this differently maybe?
I just received a denial for my increase with the language below (my italics). Any ideas on what specific items may have triggered this? I did move since the original loan in 05/2020. I have responded with copies of my DL (front, back) and passport.
... we are unable to modify your loan for the following reason(s):
Unverifiable Information
During the loan underwriting process ... This can occur as a result of a failed identify verification, high risk IP address, or if a client device is associated with fraud.
If you disagree with ...
On September 16, 2020, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging that from January 2014 to March 2019, Mayes, Gooch, and Wells used their positions as co-owners of the Big Red Dealerships (Big Red Sports/Imports, Big Red Kia, Norman Yamaha, Norman Mitsubishi, and Mayes Kia) to engage in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in which they sought to obtain millions of dollars of loan proceeds. The indictment further alleged that the defendants made materially false statements and omissions to lenders about the type, source, and amount of borrowers’ down payments or vehicle trade-ins, and bribed at least one loan officer.
I answered a scam call from Barclays. I know I'm an idiot. They have my name, address, date of birth and mother's maiden name. What do I do? I've secured my bank account but I'm panicking and have no one to ask. Please help
California.
I run a small (tiny) non-profit that has no employees. I volunteer as does my wife, there are no paid employees (other than a one-time website contractor).
I received a Form DE 2503 that stated I (myname) was filing a SDI Disability claim, and if I could confirm that I was an employee at that time. I have never filed an SDI claim ever, certainly not now, so it seems to be someone fraudulently claiming to be me to get claims. My name and SSN on the form are correct. Worse, because the SSN is correct, it also seems like identity theft.
However, I cannot successfully get the EDD department on the phone. Even when I navigate the extensive gauntlet of phone button menus to finally reach actual assistance, I am told "Our phone lines are full, please try later".
I tried logging into the website as myself to see about the claim, but I cannot make an account as it requires a Driver's License number, and my driver's license number is already in use on another account (adding to the concern about identity theft). They give a phone number, which once again cannot be used successfully to reach a human. Were I ever to actually need to file a disability claim (which I certainly don't anticipate) I would be screwed trying to set up an account.
There was a separate webform on the EDD site to report fraud, and I filled that out, but received no response. I also contacted my actual place of employment and they stated they had received no similar request for a disability claim. There are no other current suspicious identity theft activities on other accounts, but I'm hardly comfortable that someone is using my accurate SSN and DL number.
And so I have no idea how to proceed, so here I am asking random internet folks for any ideas. TIA
My little brother was taken advantage of by my mother. When he was a minor she convinced him that he was too dumb to finish high school. He dropped out.
She got him on disability through SS Administration where she was the manager of his funds. She took every penny of every check and didn't notify SSA when he was no longer qualified which happened multiple times. He got married, had jobs off and on, etc. He knows that she stole $10k from SSA and that is probably more than doubled by now.
He is now 28, has a very good job making more than his sister who has a degree, and wants to be financially free. He is perfectly capable of managing himself and keeping a job. He was made to believe otherwise until about 3 years ago.
To the question: He can't open a bank account on his own and the banks won't tell him why. Every time he tries to get a loan, the financial company calls our mom even though he didn't give them any of her info.
Any ideas about what is going on here? How does he go about fixing this?
Once again we find the self-identity academics getting ousted for lying about their identity. They are committing fraud, but it's also a problem with the way current popular ideas about identity get played out wherein each little shade or difference adds to ones' oppression factor and thus they moral worth.
Hi guys, had my car broken into a month ago, then my cards had been used at a servo the same night nearby for $300 worth. Contacted police who came around and just said they can’t do much ( I also had very clear footage of him on CCTV )
Today I received 3 letters in the mail which were notifications of new bank accounts opened including my name including a nimble loan and some fast cash debit card. The 3 companies have included the guys address in them and they were just curiosity letters to say hey we see you live at this address but we’re sending it all here.
I’ve called the police again letting them know I have his address now but nothing is really being done. He’s using my identity to open bank accounts as he has my entire wallet with Medicare and everything so imagine it’s very easy to continue this and spend money under MY name. What can I do please.
I ran away from home and stayed away, but for reasons that I will keep to myself for purposes of protecting my identity, my narcissist father found out I finally had a temporary windfall and was in need of a financial advisor to make the most of it while it lasted.
Keep in mind, I was on very low contact with him already. I made it clear well over a decade prior to this moment that I was very aware of what he did, how wrong it was to threaten to kick me out of the house and leave me on the street if I ever mentioned his identity theft and credit card fraud that was funding his gambling addiction (I ran away only days later as a matter of principle, as well as for my remaining sanity).
With that in mind, this was his call to me, where he both found out about the windfall (probably through my covert narc mother, that I didn't identify as such at the time and didn't put under professional scrutiny yet), verbatim.
"You have money now. You need an advisor. That will be me, of course."
Not a request, not even a demand. A declaration. In that squealy nasal voice he used when he was screaming in traffic (with the windows rolled up, so only his own family got the tinnitus from it) for all those years before, he squealed again his presumption that it would be him as advisor of that windfall. Of course.
Years, YEARS later, he still resents that I flatly refused.
"My own SON doesn't trust MEEEEE." Another verbatim quote.
He is a worm and needs to go in the ground and stay there.
For the past few weeks I keep getting letters of car insurance policies being taken out in my name. This is really just getting annoyingly out of hand. I’ve had 3 letters in 4 weeks now. The first two I followed the internal complaints procedure with the companies and the policies and relevant info were deleted when they responded via email. Today, another letter, another policy.
I logged a report with actionfraud and not much happened with them.
What else can I do??
So I recently found out that someone I know stole all my personal information and some from other people as well. (This person rented a room from me on and off for years and apparently wasn't as trustworthy as they pretended to be.) They haven't used it and said there's no intention to, but is there anything I can do about this? I've searched online and apparently there's no difference between actual identity 'theft' and 'fraud' with all the definitions of 'identity theft' including it being used for fraud. I feel like there's nothing I can do unless this person actually used my information but it freaks me out that they even have it, let alone went through the trouble (over time) to snoop and accumulate it all! Is there ANY legal action I can take at all?
Edited to add:
OK ... I've looked into this some more ... and essentially, NOTHING can be done until they actually USE the information. According to the secret service website (thank you for that link u/LanLantheKandiMan) all you can do is make a "fraud alert" - let your financial institutions know there could maybe be a problem. So, as much as we may like to think so and it seem logical to us that they have, they apparently haven't "already commited a crime." Because crimes can be prosecuted, and apparently there's nothing you can do about this. Other suggestions that were given are not helpful because law enforcement agencies are NOT there to, again, prevent crimes, but to go after people who actually commit them.
We have been the victims of identity theft previously, and an extortion attempt. We have noticed that there is mail coming to our address for a name which we do not recognize. I suspect that someone may have obtained some type of benefits or created a fraudulent identity and listed our address. Is this possible? How do we approach this?
Note: This is not a former resident - We have owned this property for 30+ years.
Chances be found innocent are bellow average. Also according to my attorney, I could face more than 8 years in Feds. Its my first round in prison and I am bit anxious about it. I most probably will serve my time to low security facility that according to my attorney is "cake time" but I still don't know how to get my shit together and accept the fact that I am going to do time. I have been saving money, and I have my Father outside that he has promised putting money to my books while inside. What else should I prepare before going in? Can I bring books with me ?
Also, I am from Florida, any ideas where I might serve my time so I can do an research? Thank you in advance!
