I received a notice my credit rating dropped tremendously due to an account in collections. My first reaction was to see what account, and to determine if it was any account I knew existed. An examination revealed something I didn't want to see.
Apparently, someone opened up a cell phone, or broadband, account in my name, failed to pay their bill, and the account was sent to a collection agency. The original account was an ATT Mobility account, which had unpaid fees of around $1,400. The collection agency is out of a city in New York, and that's all was able to find out. A little research gave me methods to handle this problem.
I notified the credit agencies of the fraud, filed a report with the government agency that handles identity theft, and wrote a letter to the collection agency to send me all information they had on the account. Also, I notified them it was part of an investigation, and requested they remove the credit report. Next, I probably will freeze all my credit, and see how this plays out.
There is an acceptable punishment for such thieves. It requires a ship with a hull covered in barnacles, four long pieces of rope, and enough strong individuals willing to drag the offender along the bottom of the ship. Video the event, and place it on public television.
Jess, You should freeze all 3 of your credit reports. If you decide to fill out an application that requires a credit report--you would then simply un-freeze it temporarily. Just create an account and freeze each one (no cost to do that--just don't sign up for their extra services).
ReplyDeleteThey're frozen. One already removed the collection and restored my credit.
DeleteWouldn't take too many public executions of fraudsters to put a massive dent in the practice. But as it stands, even when they catch them they rarely actually punish them.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't care if they were hunted them down around the world and eliminated the problem.
DeleteI agree with you Jess. Harsh, and public, punishment.
ReplyDeleteHarsh, and swift.
DeleteGood luck, and smart move!
ReplyDeleteTime will tell how this works out, but I have a feeling the info was hacked from ATT
DeleteBackhoe, Honey, Fire Ants, Identity Thief. Some Assembly Required.
ReplyDeleteThat would work.
DeleteYou know it was an illegal.
ReplyDeleteProbably. Over one thousand in unpaid invoices indicates a contract with a phone purchase. My name, and credit, should have been a red flag to anyone doing business with someone that obviously didn't fit my description. Hopefully whoever allowed the purchase is now looking for a new job, or in jail.
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