identity theft is real

[alanora]

Am experiencing the results of an unknown/unauthorized user of my credit card. My checking account became overdrawn, I was signed up for arabmatchmaking service (which I was certain would land me on the al quaeda operative list), and have spent much time attempting to correct the morass while having no access to my funds........I had previously been the sort who put bank statements unopened in a pile and laughed at the idea of anyone wanting to steal my identity but no longer identify with that group. It feels like a huge violation, am not certain where the leak of credit card information happened. I have since closed the card and gotten a new one. They opened a paypal account in my name and began using it! I have been trying to reduce damages and found at paypal an e-mail address and phone number entered by the perpetrator of fraud. I have gone to the bank and deposited money to cover their stuff, reported the charges as unauthorized, changed all the privacy stuff at the paypal account I had never wanted, and changed the passwords at hotmail, etc. There are several people investigating and the credit card folks returned my cash to account whilst informing me that they have until the 14th of June to alter this and take the money back persuant to their investigation....the person listed themselves at arabmatchmaking as [email protected] and a phone number of 404 693 5343. I just thought of reporting the creep to aol. What else am I missing here? Perhaps this belonged in rants and raves. Any gentle advice would be welcome, re the creep or further protection of my identity Thanks for reading. Mindy

[Clancy]

What else am I missing here?

Have you called the police? This is a crime.

["Mad" Miles]

Alanora,

My briefcase was stolen from my car in the parking garage behind the Roxy 14 Movie theater in early June of '05. I'd stupidly left the windows ajar to air it out from the sun's heat, with the briefcase on the passenger seat easy to spot while walking by.

I miss my trusty dull silver metal and hard black plastic Samsonite that since 1976 I'd faced many a fractious Leftist meeting battle with it in tow. It also made a good stool when nothing else was around to sit on.

They got some student work, and my checkbook. My reg and ELL students were thrilled to get equal credit, my go-getters were pissed at me for losing their precious work. Can't say I blamed them.

On the advice of my credit union (RCU) I, ASAP: made a detailed and specific report to the SRPD at their headquarters on Sonoma Ave., went to the main RCU branch the next day and cancelled that account and opened a new one. A key item was the "Affavit of Forgery" that I filled out, RCU notarized it and I provided it to the police and to the company handling the couple of forged checks.

The perps made off with some $30 in items from the Longs on Mendocino by forging a signature on one of my checks. They also bought a phone care. How the latter didn't provide a means to track them down? I guess pay phones aren't universally surveiled, thankfully so!

Telecheck came after me for insufficient funds on the two forged checks, until I provided them copies of everything, they went through their lengthy procedures and they cleared me of responsibility. Who knows how that effected my credit rating?

Luckily no creditors came knocking about fraudulent credit card accounts. I was told that was a distinct possibility. I was advised to check my credit record periodically, but my funds were so marginal, and I haven't applied for any credit in years, so I never did.

Once/if I do check my rating there may be a time bomb waiting for me, but these petty thieves appeared so inept that I guess I was lucky they weren't sophisticated enough to go for it. As far as I know they've never been caught (for that one at least.)

This is a separate case to your specifics. But for general edification here's what I now do that I didn't do before.

If leaving it behind, I lock my briefcase in the trunk with the trunk lock switched so it can't be opened from the interior release. I do leave my windows ajar in hot weather (My Pony, Noir II, is black) but I'm very careful to see that the opening is narrow enough that only a less than early adolescent wrist or larger can enter. In funky neighborhoods I would never leave a gap, no matter what.

I don't carry my checkbook in my briefcase.

There is no record of my account number in my briefcase.

My check NCR copies do not have my account number printed on them.
NCR = no carbon required (office clerk speak)

My address, but not my phone number, is on my checks.

In my wallet there is no record of my account number. At least not one that can be clearly linked to my account. And now that I have it memorized I thank you for prompting me to remove it.

I hand shred all account info on discarded paper, especially numbers and address, before recycling. I've meant to buy a diamond cut shredder but funds have not been available. I did this hand/scissor shredding long before the theft of my case.

I do not have my debit/credit card registered online with anyone. I have no auto bill pay arrangements. Partly for security, partly because juggling my puny funds wouldn't allow it.

Probably the main thing that protected me was being poor. No money in accounts worth the trouble. That was probably false security because most thieves have no compunctions about hurting those without means, along with the prosperous.

Now that I have just started to earn a modest Working Class income (what common parlance calls "Middle Class") I'll have to be even more circumspect. Especially given the social class most of my students hail from. As it was pointed out to me a couple of weeks ago, there is a criminal class. Most of them are dirt poor, but the successful ones look just like straights and freaks and everything in between. Check out "The Riches" on FX.

At work we're constantly reminded not to give out personal info (where I live, etc.) to students and even colleagues (in case someone inadvertantly lets it slip in casual conversation overheard by an inmate.) This is awkward and is not universally observed. Our full social is never on a form like a timesheet, etc.

I should consider an unlisted telephone number. But having mine listed and available for new acquaintances and old long lost friends to look up seemed a good thing. Nowadays?

As a State Corrections employee (Non-Custodial) I can request that my records get extra privacy protection. The form is at work and thanks for reminding me I need to fill it out and turn it in!

Good luck with your ordeal. While I've never been in your exact position, and hope never to be, I do understand the frustration and rage that accompanies being violated like this. The cost of copies, certified mail, time filling detailed forms out providing the same information over and over was a theft of my time and sense of well-being.

But giving all the relevant information to the agencies involved in restoring your credit and seeking the thieves is crucial. Although how much work the police put into that is, as in all things, relative to your social status and their perception of the severity of the crime. The disparities of our society aside (and you know that's hard for me to write!) it sucks a black hole.

And for my anarchist friends who may be disgusted with my cooperation with The Man, all I can say in my defense is that it's relative. I use the means available when I deem it appropriate. And when my politics are on the line, well that becomes part of the calculation as to how to proceed. I've never been an absolutist and in life, grey areas abound.

What a world, what a world,

Miles

:banghead: