Protecting credit card identify from family?

Question

When I was a Sophomore in college in a different state, my mother and I weren't getting along. We didn't speak for four months until I finally came home for the summer. During those four months she opened up 2 credit cards in my name using my social security number and ran the charges up to $3000. I found out when the creditors called my parents home looking for me, I was stunned at first then figured out what had happened when I confronted my mother. I ended up taking the bills and paying them off little by little myself by working 2 summer jobs. Problem is, lately we haven't been getting along again. I'm very worried that something like this could happen again. I don't know what I can do to prevent it from happening, maybe changing my social number?? Any advice?

Answer 1

You can not change that number

if she does it again I would seriously consider file a police report

you should not have to pay off money that she stole because she is mad at you

Answer 2

Put a flag on your social with the credit reporting agencies.  There's also SSN protection that you can purchase that will also flag your credit.  Worst case scenario, file a police report and charge her with Credit Fraud.  That will teach her a valuable lesson.

Answer 3

Your Mother committed fraud. If you want to pay people to protect you, that is your right. I would simply tell her that you will prosecute if it happens again. Changing an SS number is hard and seldom allowed.

Answer 4

changing your social security number is a HUGE deal and rarely done.    I would suggest calling the 3 reporting credit agencies and having a fraud alert put on your accounts.  Or you could get something like Lifelock.  They do all of it for you and they even call you if someone is trying to get credit in your name.  It's not too expensive, and it works.  I applied for a store credit card once and next thing you know my cell phone is ringing and it's them asking if I am applying for credit.  They are guaranteed too.  There are other companies like that too.