NEW!! I need some help.

Anonymous · ‎11-20-2008

I had an ex take my wallet when I had some major surgeries and opened accounts in my name. I mean several accounts from utilities to credit cards and using my own cards to make purchases. I was laid up in bed for almost a year and never noticed it. Now with one of the utilities, I got them to remove it but they sold the account to a different company and now it's as a NEW collection instead of a fraudulent account. On top of that I had late charges and over the limit fees on my cards that I finally cancelled but they are still showing as bad accounts. After I wrote to the companies they said the Credit Bureaus have to take them off. I don't know what to do. Please someone give me some advice. I have written letter after letter to all 3 of them and they want me to send them proof that it is not mine. HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO PROVE SOMETHING IS NOT MINE!! If it was open in my name and my signature with my ID. I signed all the backs of my cards so they had my signature and a photo ID. I have been pulling my hair out about this.

Anonymous · ‎11-20-2008

Did you file a police report? It may be hard to prove, like you said, since it is in your name, your cards, etc.

How long ago did this happen?

Anonymous · ‎11-20-2008

What you need to do is imediately file a police report and a complaint with the FTC at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/filing-a-report.html

If your boyfriend used your good name and info to obtain credit and used your cards without your authorization, then its credit abuse. You will have more leverage if you file the police and FTC complaint when disputing with the bureaus.

Anonymous · ‎11-21-2008

No I didn't file one because I cant prove that it was him. He could have sold my things but he was the only one that had access to it. It was in Pennsylvania and I live in Florida. It happened between 2003-2005

upinflagstaff · ‎11-21-2008

I don't think you need proof that it was him, just that it happened. A police report can start an investigation, or at least give you paperwork that you can send to the CRA.

It says to the CRA, "I'm not making this up, my credit and identity were stolen while I was recuperating"

Anonymous · ‎11-21-2008

YES file that ID theft report! This happens quite a lot with family and close friends who steal identities. They probably think nothing bad will ever happen since you will be worried about prosecuting family/friends.

What about filing a fraud alert on CRAs? If someone accesses your credit/accounts without your permission, isn't that fraud?

GO AFTER HIM! Don't let this drop. You can protect yourself even if you're not sure it's *him*

Anonymous · ‎11-21-2008

The CRA aren't going to just take your word for it. If they did, there would be many who would call and say "it is fraud" to get items removed. You need to file a police report that your ID was stolen and file a ID theft affidavit with the FTC. By filing out those forms, you swear that you didn't open the accounts. If someone should file one of those reports and they are found to be fradulent filing the reports, they would be charged with fraud. This is why the CRA will more likely do something when they receive these documents.

The FTC's website also has sample letters to send to the CRA, CA, and OC of fradulent accounts.

I'm curious as to why you signed fradulently opened CC's. And how you could not be sure it was him if he had the CCs for you to sign.

Anonymous · ‎11-21-2008

I thought she could put the fraud alert on there after she files police report for ID theft. No?

Didn't OP say some of these were her credit cards that were taken while she was in recovery? So the cards already had her signature on them,

Maybe I'm confused...

Message Edited by Bzzzymom on 11-21-2008 08:27 PM

Anonymous · ‎11-21-2008

Bzzzymom wrote:
I thought she could put the fraud alert on there after she files police report for ID theft. No?

Didn't OP say some of these were her credit cards that were taken while she was in recovery? So the cards already had her signature on them,

Maybe I'm confused...
Message Edited by Bzzzymom on 11-21-2008 08:27 PM

Yes, she can put a FA on her report. I am not sure that she even has to have a police report for that part. But, for the CRA to remove fradulent accounts, they need a police report to back up the claim of fradulent reports.

I may have mis-read the OP. The OP states that fradulent cards were opened by her ex, but then maybe she says later that her own cards were used, so maybe those are the cards with a signature. An account opened by you but used to make fradulent charges, should have been dispute with the card issuer as "unauthorized or fradulent charges".

Anonymous · ‎11-21-2008

Confusing! But I guess, generally, criminals do make things confusing. Still, she needs to fight it right? Despite it being old, and some cards actually being hers, and some cards opened fraudulently.