Fraud: I never thought it would happen to me

There are some memories that make an indelible imprint. For me, it was being a victim of identity theft ten years ago. It all began with a letter I received from a reputable credit card institution, claiming they had proof that my identity had been compromised.

Following an informative phone call with an agent at their fraud department, I learned that my social security number was acquired by the well-known Nigerian Mafia based in Florida. I was advised that when this fraudulent card neared its maximum it was sent to their fellow ring of thieves in Great Britain. When this credit card was scanned for automobile fuel, an alert appeared on the credit card merchant key pad and my larcenist vanished.

The words, “You are a victim of identity theft,” resonated in my ears. Still dumbfounded, I was instructed to call the three national credit bureaus. The bureaus placed a ‘fraud alert’ on my name, and mailed off my credit reports. As each credit report arrived at my home, my disbelief heightened. Bank credit cards, major store credit cards and utility accounts were being issued to a person with my name and social security number, based in Florida. This was quite peculiar since I am a native Californian. The fraudulent charges tallied just a few dollars shy of $50,000. The criminals also tried purchasing a brand new vehicle. Luckily, they were denied, since their credit rating at the time of this spending spree, on my dime, was already taking a nosedive. My once pristine credit was now tarnished.

Though I was a victim in this nightmarish financial and credit fiasco, I was the one expected to clean up the identity theft dirty work.

It was my sole responsibility to contact each and every bank institution, retail department store and utility company that had interacted with the fraudulent account in my name. I filled out countless ID Theft Affidavits and personally paid notary costs and postal charges. My phone calls reached out to police departments, FBI, Social Security Administration and United States Department Passport Services. I spent countless hours repairing this unjust damage.

It took roughly one year before my credit rating peaked to its original state before its hostile takeover. Trust me; the after effects still linger on. To this day, my “Florida” address still pops up once in a while on a credit report and my personal check is still denied at a Southern California department store chain.

A decade later, identity theft has become a monstrous problem affecting millions of people. Credit card scams have leapt to the next level, with the assistance of the Internet and e-mail. Reputable bank institutions and companies like eBay and PayPal have become prey. Repeatedly, recipients are receiving authentic looking e-mails from these devious scam campaigns.

“If you don’t initiate that e-mail, then do not give any information,” warns John McLelland, Crime Prevention Specialist for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Fallbrook Substation. “Do not communicate with them.”

In the event you do receive such an e-mail, McLelland urges recipients to delete them and call the institution directly. If possible, drive down there and take care of the matter in person. Under no circumstances should a person click the link to a suspicious e-mail, as they could fall victim to a virus.

“Also, if you don’t know the e-mail sender, then don’t respond,” McLelland added. “There is no exception.”

McLelland suggests that consumers check their credit reports three times per year by contacting each of the national credit bureaus (Trans Union, Experian and Equifax), who will run a complimentary credit check. Keeping apprised of such information is critical.

Be it an e-mail and/or phone call, the best rule of thumb is to remember that YOU should initiate the query, not the other way around. Never give any personal information such as your social security number, credit card information or security numbers to anyone either on the phone or in e-mail form.

Despite how creative or convincing an e-mail or phone scam might be McLelland shares these words of wisdom: “Hang up the phone. Delete the e-mail. It’s not rocket science; just don’t respond.”

For more information on identity theft please log onto http://www.FightIdentityTheft.com