HasPets wrote:
I did something I regret - Last month I called the toll-free number on a post card regarding Extending the Warranty on my 3 yr. old car. I called "to get information" - but got talked into paying a $150 "deposit" in order to SEE the policy they offer. The money was to be transferred to them by using my checking account Debit Card (which at the time, I thought was my safest option - I was suspicious). The personal information I gave them was: name, address, phone (a number that gets constantly screened by answering machine - I seldom answer) and the Visa Check Card number.
Check Cards have different numbers than your account number but are tied to it. So cancelling your card was the right option because the bank will give you another number, diff exp date, everything. Now if you gave them your bank account number, that's a different story.
Within a few hours after doing research on the Web I was convinced they were not a good company. I called my CU and canceled the check card and requested a new one. The Warranty Company got the $150 - but my utmost concern at the time was the payment plan they intended to implement monthly. By canceling my check card I assume they can't get any more money. I am exploring my legal options now for getting that "deposit" returned.
Now, I'm also concerned about Identity Theft. I'm not sure how much more information someone can get from the basics I listed above. I placed a Fraud Alert on my records with TU by phone. If I understand the Fraud Alert process correctly, it doesn't actually prevent a bad guy from using my credit. It seems to be voluntary. Are there any other measures I ought to do immediately? How about, do I check to be sure the Fraud Alert is shared with the other two CRAs?
A Fraud Alert, if I'm not mistaken, makes a creditor check with you before issuing credit, be it CCs, loans, etc. So if you try to open a CC or loan you should expect a call from a creditor regarding the inquiry and/or be decline at the spot because of the alert. Some creditors when they see the alert deny then investigate to see if you are actually trying open the account.
Also - the FTC website says I'm entitled to one free Credit Report as a result of placing the Fraud Alert. Is that IN ADDITION to my yearly free CR from TU? I (now) intend to order a free report every 4 months. But, if businesses don't report credit inquiries immediately - then how do I monitor activity more intensely than every 4 months? I can't afford to wait that long.
Yes, that's in addition to the free CR from the big 3
You can check as much as you want but you will have to pay after the first 3. If you are really concerned the payment will be worth the watch just in case anything fishy appears
I have one question: Do you have a CC because if you did you would have a better option of getting the 150 bucks back by disputing the charge? From what I've read and learned, it's really hard getting money debited back from a Debit/Check card but there's probably an option out there for you.
Good Luck.
