A stranger is fraudulently using our address!?!?

[wdwpluto]

Ok - should I be concerned?

I was opening mail today and got a brand new Old Navy CC addressed to Katerina Bruno at our address. Now we've lived here for 2+ years (it's just DH and I). Who's using our address? I called the Old Navy CC customer service # and they said there was nothing they could do. Um, okay, if you don't care, then I guess I don't. You're the ones who are gonna not get paid b/c when you send the bill here, she's not gonna get it or pay it. Duh! But who's using our address and why? They're not using either of our names which is a good thing, but it's a bit disconcerting that someone is claiming to live here when they don't.

I did cut up the card and shred all the paperwork that went with it as the Old Navy rep suggested. Is there anything else I can do? I don't want this to come back and haunt us.

Oh and before I get flamed - I just slit all the envelopes and pull stuff out. I didn't deliberately open mail addressed to someone else. We've lived here over 2 years, it never occurred to me that we'd be getting someone else's mail.

Lori

 

[nuts4sn00py]

It's possible Old Navy got the persons address wrong. People do make mistakes. When I opened a dual bank account with my DH (we were just married), the bank put the wrong address in the computer & my cancelled checks went to the correct addres but the wrong Avenue...luckily the person who got my cancelled checks brought them to me & I had the bank correct the address. So it may not be that Ms. Bruno is using your address, it could just be an honest mistake. JMO Kathy

 

[PamOKW]

Keep a record of everything....the name, the date you got the card, your call to Old Navy. It could be an honest mistake or it could be part of a scam. Does Old Navy issue their own cards or is their a bank involved (like with a branded Visa)? In any case, I would send a letter advising them that no such person lives, or to your knowledge has ever lived, at that address. This will give you some backup paperwork.

For fun, you might trying do a search on the Internet or even just look in your phone book to see whether that name comes up and might live on your street.

I received two letters to an unknown person at my address regarding a new bank taking over his credit account. I made phone calls and followed up with letters. It's been two years and I haven't had any repercussions. Hopefully, you won't either.

 

[wdwpluto]

Thanks Kathy. I supposed it's possible, but our street name is *very* unique. It's three words - when I spell it for people they still can't get it right! We live in an apt complex and they have our exact building number AND our apartment letter and the street address is spelled correctly. Neither DH nor I have ever had any dealings with Old Navy.

I guess the reason I jumped to the conclusion that it's something bad is because on 3 occasions I've seen an individual rummaging through our dumpster. We shred everything, so we should be ok, but it's still creepy.

Lori

 

[wdwpluto]

Originally posted by PamOKW
Keep a record of everything....the name, the date you got the card, your call to Old Navy. It could be an honest mistake or it could be part of a scam. Does Old Navy issue their own cards or is their a bank involved (like with a branded Visa)? In any case, I would send a letter advising them that no such person lives, or to your knowledge has ever lived, at that address. This will give you some backup paperwork.

For fun, you might trying do a search on the Internet or even just look in your phone book to see whether that name comes up and might live on your street.

I received two letters to an unknown person at my address regarding a new bank taking over his credit account. I made phone calls and followed up with letters. It's been two years and I haven't had any repercussions. Hopefully, you won't either.

You snuck in while I was posting. Old Navy issues their own cards, no bank involved. I did google the persons name and nothing came up, but I will check the phone book. Thanks for the advice Pam!

 

[floridafam]

I would order a copy of your credit report just to see what is on there.

I know you said it had someone else's name on it but I would still get a copy just to make sure everything is okay.

 

[AirForceRocks]

It could just be that this was the person that lived there before you did, and for some reason, Old Navy still had the old address.

 

[sandramaac]

Two words for you

CREDIT REPORT


I would get one online tonight--it is very easy--you can request a personal copy as often as you like---)only when a creditor request a copy does it some up and effect and lower your credit scrore a small amount) anyway I would get a copy every three to four weeks for the next 3 or 4 months--if any other problems arise then you can go forward--usually a person pulling a credit scam will have the bill sent somewhere else, so it probably is a mistake--does anyone have access to your mail--like do you work and get home late, so if someone knows this they can get to the mail before you--lots of bases to cover--I would also call Old Nay back and ask for a supervisor---check and see if the SS# on the account is yours

good luck

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'm living here and still get mail for prior owners! I write...no longer at this address...on the envelope and send it back.

 

[Aprille]

Since you live in an apartment, maybe you should check with the manager's office and see if this person use to live in your apartment.

 

[Mermaid02]

We have lived here for since 1997 and we still get mail for the prior owner. We also STILL get phone calls for the people who used to have this number PERSONAL phone calls. I said to one woman, "you don't call them much do you?"

 

[wdwpluto]

Thanks for all the good advice everyone!
Lori

 

[powellrj]

this sorta happened to us, a neighbor checked into the hospital using our address. The first letter I just marked no one by that name at this address and sent it back. Then we started getting letters daily. I called the hospital and explained what had happened and she said that was the only hospital stay with that address on it. All of the other stays were under the right address. She told me just to keep doing what I was doing and that they would make a notation but that this is a person who has scammed the hosptial before and this was just another way to get out of paying her bill.

 

[Mary Ellen]

While I agree with the advise you've received, it is also possible that when filling out the Old Navy application her handwritting was messy or mis-read. A 6 and 0 could have been confused, 4 and 9, 1 and 7. Possibly when entering her info into the computer, it was mis-keyed. She may live on your street or in your complex. Hopefully, this is the case.

 

[Redmic]

Ok, maybe this is my small town mentality, but I think you are overreacting! It is not at all unusual for me to get a neighbor's mail, and I just walk it over to them. Since you live in an apartment complex, it is possible another tenant's apartment number was misread. The first thing I would do is try and track them down. If I were your neighbor and you didn't make the effort, I would be very disappointed.