There's a number I can call, but it doesn't seem like there's any real comprehensive system in place. Like, I can get Cingular and the credit agency with whom they contract to expunge my record, but if I go to, say, buy a car, and someone's used my SSN to default on a car loan with another collections agency, I'll have to go through the whole process again.
Maybe there's good news, though? You're in the shitty position of having to untangle a big mess, but it's a mess that doesn't seem to have damaged your credit history too terribly. I mean, you were able to buy your house despite the fact that someone's been effing around with your SSN.
The odd thing is, I've been thinking about you and your phone the last couple of days. It's been in the news that cellular companies are going to start charging people with phones older than 3 years a service fee, as a way to motivate them to upgrade to newer technology. When I heard that, I thought, "phew, it's a good thing Hannah upgraded already. Now she won't have to pay that fee!" But heck, I bet a small monthly fee looks pretty good right compared to paying for no phone service and the knowledge that someone's been diddling around with your SSN.
Still, at least you know about it now and can begin what will likely be a sucky process of sorting it out and getting your credit report in order. Good luck :-/
Thanks. Yeah, they gave me one phone number to report my SSN as a fraud target. I think that any accounts anyone tries to open with that number from now on, they'll have to call me or something to confirm it. Which will probably be its own separate pain in the ass, but a good thing in the long run.
I am wondering how much damage has been done--it looks like it's going to be hard to find out. My credit's always been A+; I feel like the first time I got a cavity, at age 32. And I didn't even get to eat the sugar!
They're supposed to send me a letter confirming that the other guy is fraudulent, though, so that should be useful.
OH NOOO!!! about the fraud. I hear that more and more and I know I should check my credit reports regularly and I just never get around to it. This is one more incentive.
I really really really hope it's easy for you to unravel.
I'm curious about what WA said was causing the phone not to work in your house.
Just a hole in the reception, seems like. I got pissed, though, because they were all, "Well, are you in a valley?" And I'm like, "Um, no, unless you count the really low hill... a block down the street from me... on one side..." and the woman in customer service said, "Oh, well, that must be it." Lord knows how anyone gets reception in San Francisco, then, if that little bitty hill messes things up.
yeah that's weird. I would have though maybe it was a problem with the phone or something... I'll have to try to make a call from your house next time I'm there!
Oh . . I am so sorry to hear that -- hate is usually a bit strong for me, but in this case, will all those things clumped together, yes . . . that's a big ol' knot of hate.
This is also yet another reason why we need to get back to things like telegrams, and maybe semaphore.
~ Martino.
P.S. thanks again for the Bacos -- Plantastic and I were thrilled.
Pony Express! BRING BACK THE MOTHERFUCKIN' PONY EXPRESS! POOOOOOOOONIES!!!!!
Anyway, that's why I was kinda like "Okay, well, see you soon" on the phone--I was afraid it was going to cut out again. I lost three calls last night!
And hee! I see imitation bacon bits, I think of you two...
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how do you check to make sure nobody's using your SSN for nefarious purposes, anyway?
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My credit report had 2 different birthdays, wrong names and wrong addresses. No one looks at these things. Even us!
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Maybe there's good news, though? You're in the shitty position of having to untangle a big mess, but it's a mess that doesn't seem to have damaged your credit history too terribly. I mean, you were able to buy your house despite the fact that someone's been effing around with your SSN.
The odd thing is, I've been thinking about you and your phone the last couple of days. It's been in the news that cellular companies are going to start charging people with phones older than 3 years a service fee, as a way to motivate them to upgrade to newer technology. When I heard that, I thought, "phew, it's a good thing Hannah upgraded already. Now she won't have to pay that fee!" But heck, I bet a small monthly fee looks pretty good right compared to paying for no phone service and the knowledge that someone's been diddling around with your SSN.
Still, at least you know about it now and can begin what will likely be a sucky process of sorting it out and getting your credit report in order. Good luck :-/
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I am wondering how much damage has been done--it looks like it's going to be hard to find out. My credit's always been A+; I feel like the first time I got a cavity, at age 32. And I didn't even get to eat the sugar!
They're supposed to send me a letter confirming that the other guy is fraudulent, though, so that should be useful.
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I really really really hope it's easy for you to unravel.
I'm curious about what WA said was causing the phone not to work in your house.
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Sorry they didn't work out for you.
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This is also yet another reason why we need to get back to things like telegrams, and maybe semaphore.
~ Martino.
P.S. thanks again for the Bacos -- Plantastic and I were thrilled.
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Anyway, that's why I was kinda like "Okay, well, see you soon" on the phone--I was afraid it was going to cut out again. I lost three calls last night!
And hee! I see imitation bacon bits, I think of you two...
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