@Anonymous wrote:
For starters, I learned a lesson about how serious identity theft is. DO NOT, and I repeat DO NOT allow anyone to file taxes for you if they aren't a licensed ta professional. I am currently in the process of rebuilding my credit as it was destroyed by someone who claimed to be a tax professional; only to take my social and run with it. Thirty inquires have been made, two phone accounts that have gone into collections, and on top of that my 2011 and 2012 tax returns were denied because someone had already filed. I had no idea of what was going on until I was able to purchase my condo in the beginning of 2012. With that being said I am currently in the repair process and I've run into a few obstacles. First, I sent letters to the creditors and explained the current situation. I've noticed that two inquiries have been deleted, no word from some, and some letters were returned to me, labeled return to sender. I also have a few that responded saying that they need more information, mainly my social security number. I need help on what to do in regards to the creditors requesting more information. I'm confused because I wonder how my report shows the hard pull, but they have no record or need my social. I am skeptical of sending my social out, and I would like to know what should I do about the letters returned to me. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Here's what I would do, but there's probably more that can be done:
1. File a police report. Often times that is what makes creditors take you seriously when you claim it wasn't you.
2. Freeze your credit with all 3 CB's. This will prevent any new inquiries or fraudulent accounts and is free if you filed a report.
3. Send CMRR letters to each reporting creditor on your credit reports referencing the account numbers notifying them of the identity theft and police report numbers.
4. Save a copy of everything. Everything.
5. Once you have proof that you notified the creditors, dispute all of the fraudulent accounts on your CR as "not mine" by mail, including a copy of the police report and correspondence with the creditors.
6. Be prepared, if necessary to sue any creditor that updates or verifies the accounts.
7. Be prepared to fight this same battle again and again as the creditors sell the debt to collection agencies.
8. Be prepared to defend yourself in court if a creditor sues, and plan to countersue.
9. Consider retaining a lawyer if necessary.
Good luck!
