Fraud - buereau alerts this morning

[Anonymous]

Woke up this am to alerts from all 3 bureaus that Citi Bank Credit Cards had done a hard inquir yesterday.  I know it wasnt me as I'm gardening until I app for a mortgage, never had to deal with this.  The inquiry cost me about 8 points which was surprising, still in the 740's though.  Has anyone dealt with this, should I call citi first or go straight to the bureaus and dispute?

Is it wierd that I'd like to know how much they were approved for?  HA!  

[baller4life]

I would call Citi and see if an account was opened in your name and if so have it cancelled. I would also contact the bureaus and dispute inquiry as well as placing a fraud alert on your reports.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Baller.  Heres what I've done, I called Citi and they confirmed there was an app pending.  Wasnt' approved yet b/c theyneeded to verify information b/c whomever apped used an address in a different state. Should couldnt give much detail but did offer to send me the app in the mail.

I will call the bureaus and place a fraud alert.  We are going to app for a mortgage in the next 30-60 days so I'm wondering how a fraud alert will lookand how long does it stay on the bureau?

[baller4life]

You can call and lift the alert once you are ready to app your mortgage. I just wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my reports vulnerable like that since it's obvious someone has your info. In fact, it were me, I would freeze all 3 till time to app mortgage.

[Anonymous]

As always you've got great advice Baller.  thanks, I'm going to do it now on all 3. Crazy thing is I just got another alert from eq that CCiti did ANTOTHER hard inquiry today. So one from yesterday and 1 from today.

[baller4life]

Freeze freeze freeze those bureaus pronto!!! You can do it right online on each bureau's website.

[Anonymous]

Will freezing them prevent citi from removing the hard inquiries?

[baller4life]

No it will not. They can still remove the unauthorized inqs. It just prevents anyone from putting new inqs on your reports.

[Anonymous]

Info I wanted to pass along.  When you file the fraud alert with EQ on their automated system (very easy) they notify the other bureaus and have it added to them as well.

Citi, was actually great to deal with on this, spoke to a very nice rep who handeled everything and sent I request to the appropriate department to have the inquies removed.

[baller4life]

WTG!! Glad it all worked out for you!