Identity Theft Victim..What do I DO NEXT?

[Anonymous]

Hi all.

I am hoping someone can tell me what to do next. I've always maintained a decent credit history and this is all making me sick. I don't know what to do.

My identity was stolen recently. I found out about the id theft because I was sent a payment booklet for Conn's (a regional Best Buy-like store) in the mail. I also received a credit card from CarToys. After making a few phone calls I found out a fraudster racked up about 10K in charges at these two stores. I immediately filed a police report and put a fraud alert with the Credit Bureaus. I also filed a complaint at the FTC website. I went online and got free copies of my credit bureau reports and found that other accounts were opened. I contacted each company and sent them copies of the FTC Fraud affadavit and a copy of the police reports. All calls made to the companies/received from the companies have been logged in a notebook with a summary of what transpired.

I ordered paper copies of my credit bureau report and disputed the accounts and inquiries that were not mine.

Conn's had charges of 9K, and their Fraud person told me that they confirmed the fraud and are having the charges removed. I have not gotten anything in the mail to confirm this. I found out today that the account with them that I disputed on my Equifax report came back as "remained" which means it will remain on my credit file.  I've done everything I can to prove that it wasn't me..they told me that they confirmed the fraud, but they are refusing to remove this from my file. What recourse do I have???

[Anonymous]

sorry to hear about this.

Sounds like you are on the right track.  My only advice is follow up in writing with everything and never trust the result to a verbal phone call.  If you have the call, log it like you do, but I would try to get written as much as possible.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

What makes me more sick about this is that Conn's has video of the person who stole my identity which has been turned over to the detective working my case (or as I see it, the detective not doing jack with my case).

I want to know if there is any legal recourse I can take?

[Anonymous]

Actually, this would make me feel much better (your case).

There are many people who didn't have such iron clad evidence that it was ID theft and had to really fight the creditors on the matter.  The fact that Conn's has video evidence supporting your claim and that the creditors are assisting you should be reason for mini-celebration.

I know the whole thing is awful, but it could have been much worse and a much worse clean up.

Good luck and keep on it till you have it totally remedied.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that is what I thought. I don't understand why they are making it so difficult.

[RobertEG]

You dont have to "prove" anything  now.  Just send the CRA this simple letter:

“This is a formal request, under FCRA 605(B), that you desist from any future inclusion in any credit report that you provide as to any and all information relating to an alleged debt reported by (identifying info).

 

“This alleged debt was not authorized by me, and came about due to apparent identity theft by the reporter. (give any addit details here).

 

“I state, under FCRA 605(B)(a)(4), that this alleged debt was not initiated by me as a consumer, and that I did not authorize this transaction, in any manner.

“I have filed the required identity theft report with my local law enforcement officials, and a copy of this is attached, as required under FCRA 605(B)(A)(4).

 

“Under the requirements of FCRA 605(B), please block reporting of this information in any credit report that you issue.”

Message Edited by RobertEG on 12-02-2009 01:31 AM