I had read about identity theft, but until last night, did not realize how easily it can be done. It just happened to one of my credit card accounts.
On one of our credit cards, we had made internet purchases at four different places in December, 2006. We believed we knew who all four places were, and three of them are major U.S. organizations or companies. Someone only having the information from our credit card number, CVV (CID), our name, and guessing (or computer guessing) one other bit of data, was able to open up an online account on the credit card.
Their next step was to change our address to a place in a different state, our phone number, and our e-mail, on the account. That took place at the end of January, 2007. February 2 and 3, they placed an order at two different companies for computer and electronics items. The two orders totaled over $3,800. The items have been delivered to their address. The street is a valid name, and the number is a valid range, but there is no house at that address. The phone number connects to an answering machine, and results in no number found on a web search.
We had not gotten the credit card statement for the end of January. Reason, it was sent to the new address!
1. Called the credit card company and got the account closed. This prevents new charges. They agreed that we would not be responsible for the two charges.
2. Did a free online credit check. Our address, phone, etc. has been changed in the three credit reporting agencies. Using online, if we put a credit watch on the accounts, guess where they contact to allow new credit card or loan applications? Right, the bogus phone and address.
3. After going through several different automated phone menus, finally got connected to a real person. They were able to put a credit watch with notification to our correct phone number. This will also prevent someone from applying for new loans or credit cards, without them first contacting us. Investigation of the address information can take up to 45 days. They also require a police report of the fraudulent activity, to support our case that we do not live at the bogus address.
4. Back to our other credit cards, we put a notification to us if charges exceed a specified dollar amount.
5. For credit cards that we did not have the online access, we opened an online account, so someone trying to change the information this way would need both a username and a password to access the file.
This process is still ongoing, but from what I have already learned, it is better to have online access set up, to prevent someone else from doing so. It is amazing to me how easily someone else was able to do this to our account.
You are entitled to one free credit report each year. If you suspect unusual activity, do a web search for "credit report" or something similar. Look for one that does not require you to set up an account with them, in order to get the report. You will have to provide several personal information items for them to verify who you are.
Many credit cards have a variety of limits and notifications that you can place on your account. At least review these options to consider what is appropriate for your situation.
The good news out of all of this is that so far, I have not had any financial loss, and two that my other credit cards are now more secure against someone else using them or changing the information.
I am sure that I have not heard the end of the activity related to our compromised information.
Wes R.
On one of our credit cards, we had made internet purchases at four different places in December, 2006. We believed we knew who all four places were, and three of them are major U.S. organizations or companies. Someone only having the information from our credit card number, CVV (CID), our name, and guessing (or computer guessing) one other bit of data, was able to open up an online account on the credit card.
Their next step was to change our address to a place in a different state, our phone number, and our e-mail, on the account. That took place at the end of January, 2007. February 2 and 3, they placed an order at two different companies for computer and electronics items. The two orders totaled over $3,800. The items have been delivered to their address. The street is a valid name, and the number is a valid range, but there is no house at that address. The phone number connects to an answering machine, and results in no number found on a web search.
We had not gotten the credit card statement for the end of January. Reason, it was sent to the new address!
1. Called the credit card company and got the account closed. This prevents new charges. They agreed that we would not be responsible for the two charges.
2. Did a free online credit check. Our address, phone, etc. has been changed in the three credit reporting agencies. Using online, if we put a credit watch on the accounts, guess where they contact to allow new credit card or loan applications? Right, the bogus phone and address.
3. After going through several different automated phone menus, finally got connected to a real person. They were able to put a credit watch with notification to our correct phone number. This will also prevent someone from applying for new loans or credit cards, without them first contacting us. Investigation of the address information can take up to 45 days. They also require a police report of the fraudulent activity, to support our case that we do not live at the bogus address.
4. Back to our other credit cards, we put a notification to us if charges exceed a specified dollar amount.
5. For credit cards that we did not have the online access, we opened an online account, so someone trying to change the information this way would need both a username and a password to access the file.
This process is still ongoing, but from what I have already learned, it is better to have online access set up, to prevent someone else from doing so. It is amazing to me how easily someone else was able to do this to our account.
You are entitled to one free credit report each year. If you suspect unusual activity, do a web search for "credit report" or something similar. Look for one that does not require you to set up an account with them, in order to get the report. You will have to provide several personal information items for them to verify who you are.
Many credit cards have a variety of limits and notifications that you can place on your account. At least review these options to consider what is appropriate for your situation.
The good news out of all of this is that so far, I have not had any financial loss, and two that my other credit cards are now more secure against someone else using them or changing the information.
I am sure that I have not heard the end of the activity related to our compromised information.
Wes R.