Dumb mistake with SSN now might be victim of ID theft.

Question

okay i made a stupid mistake i was living with a friend cause i got kicked out of my house and their aunt was saying that they were gonna help me get a job at the post office so like over the phone i was giving away all my info like everything cause at the time i felt like i trusted her cause she was nice. but now i'm so scared cause his family is extremely shady like there has already been identity theft and i know his aunt is in a lot of pressure cause her son is going to jail for 25 yrs and she lost a lot of money to the lawyer and idk if she even has a job or house and everyone in his family is like do what you gotta do --so it's like d**n and we got into a fight a while ago and it's all this drama so it's like i think they're gonna do something with it.... idk how to protect myself, i want to change my ssn and i heard you can put a identity theft alert on your credit report but what else can you do?? i closed all of my bank accounts for good and i barely have any credit to begin with --i'm 18 please help on what i can do, i don't want to do anything online or on the phone.

Answer 1

It doesn't sound like they have too much on you, just basic personal info and your SSN? It's doubtful they'll be able to create accounts and get new credit and rack up debt on your name, but they may be able to gain access to already existing accounts. I worked as a 611 Operator for a cell phone company, and verifying an account is as easy as knowing the person's SSN. So if you have any credit card accounts or cell phone accounts, or basically anything you pay a bill on, call them up and put a password on your account that has to be used for verification before any information is given or changes are made to the account. Most people think of identity theft as on online thing, but it's really easy to gain access to existing accounts with just a little bit of information over the phone.

I know you said that you didn't want to do anything over the phone, but that's where you're vulnerable so you're going to have to.

Answer 2

if u think it is a genuine risk, closing your bank accounts is a good idea. that will already make it hard for them. vigilance is the main and most important thing you can do. check your bank statements daily. (go into the bank if nessecary or sign up to their online banking.

I don't know where abouts in the world you are but in the uk you can get id theft insurance for a few pounds a months (try your bank for this) i'm sure it is available in usa etc too. if you go online to www.creditexpert.com you can sign up to have constant access to your credit profile and credit checks etc, it can also notify you when a credit search is made. notify your bank you think you may become a victim and be alert. thats all you can do but you should be ok if you keep a check on it. if you have credit cards keep an eye on them too and check the balance daily to make sure it has not gone up without you spending on the cards.

also just a thought but if this aunt works for post office, check in with them regulaly and makesure there are no accountsor loans etc set up in your name that you have not opened.

hope this helps and that you do not get you identity stolen!

Answer 3

If you have closed all your accounts, the next step is to put a fraud alert on all three credit reports.

No one will be able to open new accts in your name!

Transunion: 1-877-322-8228

Experian: 1- 888 397 3742

Equifax : 1-800-685-1111

Guard that SSN like it meant your life!  Because, it does!

Answer 4

Not sure. Give me your SSN and I'll look into it for you.

Answer 5

Early detection of a potential identity theft can make a big difference. Keep an eye out for any suspicious activity by routinely monitoring:

Your financial statements. Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements regularly, looking closely for charges you did not make.

Your credit reports. Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you have and how you pay your bills. The law requires each of the major nationwide consumer reporting agencies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. To find out, order a copy of your credit reports.

Once you get your reports, review them carefully. Look for inquiries from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't explain. Check that information, like your Social Security number, address(es), name or initials, and employers are correct. If you find fraudulent or inaccurate information, get it removed. See Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports to learn how. Continue to check your credit reports periodically, especially for the first year after you discover the identity theft, to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.

Putting a fraud alert on you credit file is one of the first things you should do if you suspect someone is trying to open credit accounts in your name. It might be something you want to do, even if you don't think identity theft is an immediate threat.

Answer 6

Call one of the credit bureaus and ask them to put a fraud alert on your account.  They will in turn contact the other 2 bureaus to have them do it.  I was told that when you do that, they will contact you if someone tries to open an account in your name to verify that it is you doing it.

Answer 7

Social Security has a fraud dept. Their toll free # 1-800-428-9623.

Answer 8

You can put a freeze on your credit report for $10 per credit agency (3 major ones). Note that taking it off is also 10 bucks. Here's more info on that: http://www.innovis.com/pers_placeSecurit...

You can also block access to your SSN number (see ssa.gov). I'm not sure what exactly is blocked there. My guess, it's info on your earnings.

In both cases you can use certified letters, or ups, or any other carrier for correspondence. Both the freeze and the block are extreme measures, you will have to give express consent to lift them off in the future for things like credit card applications, application to a new landlord, getting a new job...

Good luck, mate!