myFICO Blog

[#1]

Identity theft can have a devastating impact on your life, affecting far more than just your pocketbook. Keep an eye out for these 6 warning signs that could mean your identity has been stolen. 

1) Unexpected phone calls from creditors.

Identity theft can have a devastating impact on your life, affecting far more than just your pocketbook. Keep an eye out for these 6 warning signs that could mean your identity has been stolen. If you get a call from a creditor demanding payment for a purchase no one in your family made, have the caller give you all the information possible and investigate.

2) Strange credit card charges.

It's easier to spot these if you keep all your receipts and reconcile them with your statements each month.

3) Getting turned down for credit unexpectedly. 

This is one of the more common ways people discover they've been victimized.

4) Account usernames and passwords or ATM PINs stop working.

This suggests that an identity thief may have changed your access codes. 

5) Missing bills. 

If bills from your accounts suddenly stop arriving, it could mean an identity thief has changed your address in order to use bank accounts without raising suspicion.

6) Strange information in your files. 

If information in a personal file is not yours it could signal identity theft or it could be an innocent mistake. To avoid mistaken identity problems use your middle name or middle initial on accounts to distinguish you from others who have the same name.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft!

Proactively check and review your FICO Scores and credit reports on a quarterly basis. This is one of the best ways to spot a fraud quickly and minimize any damage. Read more about protecting yourself from identity theft and what actions to take if it happens.

 

[#2]

Why does Equifax dispute accounts and say its from the attorney general on lines of credit? I reported then for putting items on my credit, "mix-files," missing payment history, missing credit limits.
The person at equifax claimed the items put on was verified by PHONE and she could not send me the verification (complete description of method used to investigate this item) Then the rep sends a letter to the Attorney General stating what would remain, and removing the items in relationship to my identity theft and that I would receive a copy of score, and report and the outcome of the investigation.
I spoke with this rep to find out why I am receiving letters from identity theft related collections, and my current creditors are all contacting me stating that "Equifax has contacted them on MY BEHALF because I am stating that the account is not mine and Attorney General made this request" and she stated they were left over from when we spoke. UGH
That is not what she sent to the Attorney General nor what she told me.
I never disputed anything that is MINES and the Attorney General was call on Equifax about the legal term "Mix-Files" this is when two or more credit files merge together due to data error. Then they marked all my accounts new and added 41 inquiries.