How would I go about finding out about identity theft?

Question

How would I go about finding out if there is anyone using my social security # for something other than credit?

For example, all these identify theft companies seem like they will mostly protect against credit fraud. But what if someone wants to get a driver's license under your name or apply for a job?

I'm very worried because a few months ago a lost my wallett along with my drivers license and insuance cards.

Answer 1

I'm really sorry that you'd misplaced your wallet and are dealing with such a stressful situation.  I actually have nightmares that I lose my purse all of the time!  I wonder if you can get a change of driver's license number.  It's not usually done, and not to divert, but a friend had a situation where she sold her used car to someone obviously not on the 'up and up' and he never transferred the car title in his name and even (apparently) had his girlfriend or whomever forge her name on a new registration form.  My friend was getting parking tickets and had to go to the dmv to sign (I believe) an affidavit and other papers and write to the judge about the scoundrel that did this in order to not have to pay the tickets or get a suspended license.  My friend called the top person at the dmv (division of motor vehicles) and even wrote a letter to really no avail and then the governor's office, and they did finally issue a new driver's license number.  

My friend believes that perhaps her brother inadvertently left some info such as the registration card in the glove compartment (I know, dumb :) when he was testing the car the earlier before turning the car over to the buyer and that perhaps may have made it that much easier for the crook.  In the meantime that this all occurred (and just fyi), the dmv recommended putting a 'stop' on her previous vehicle in the event that the crook was stopped for a moving violation, and that alerts law enforcement that something is not right in that situation.

Sorry for the long story ;)  Hoping that you get some resolve.  I would think twice before going with those insurance companies that supposedly protect against Identity Theft but not really sure how they work or if it's just a money maker for them :)  Hopefully you've cancelled all of your credit cards that may have been in the wallet.

The Federal Trade Commission has a website:  http://www.ftc.gov and can click on a section for 'identity theft' under 'quick finder'.

Answer 2

1. You can call Social Security Fraud Dept toll free @ 1-800-269-0271.

2.  Request your free credit reports from   annualcreditreport.com or call them toll free @ 1-877-322-8228 for all 3 free reports. If there's somrthing on the report you're not aware of dispute it immediately.

3. If need be you could put the account on fraud alert through Trans Union Fraud Dept . Their toll free @ 1-800-680-7289. They will notify the other 2 bureaus for you at 2 cost. You have to renew it every 90 days

Answer 3

For a job they could use your name, but they wouldn't have your tax file or social security number to go with it.

You must have replaced your licence, so they can't apply for it because you already have one. The can't USE your licence unless they look a lot like you. As you LOST the wallet, lnot had it stolen, chances are if it was found at all it was found by a harmless person.

Most identity fraud involves bank accounts (and credit cards) with most of the details being purposely stolen by hacking on-line hanking transactions.

Sadly if anyone IS using your ID for bad things, the first you might find out about it is the cops knocking on your door. If you reported everything stolen at the time, you wont get into any trouble for what they did (especially as usually there is some CCTV footage, which will show they didn't look like you)

good luck! I think you might be safe this time