Fell for a scam..help!

[JodiR]

I fell for one of those online scams wanting personal info.

Now I need to put a monitor with the credit bureaus. I want SS # monitored, the ability to not let anyone open new accounts, etc.

What is my best action? I don't want to be notified that it happened, I want to stop new accounts from opening in the first place.

 

[kelleigh1]

Go to www.ftc.gov and you should find info about identity theft there.

 

[Coach K]

You could also call one of the credit bureaus and have them put a hold on your credit. I did this when my wife passed away two years ago so that her brother wouldn't use her SS# to open any more accounts than he already did. The can also send you a current copy of your credit report so that you can check it for any mistakes, etc. Do this immediately!!!

 

[JodiR]

I called one of the credit bureaus and they said it would cost $14.95 a month.

 

[katesorad]

I called one of the credit bureaus and they said it would cost $14.95 a month.

Well $15 a month is a lot cheaper than having somebody get ahold of your information and ruin your entire credit score.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I called one of the credit bureaus and they said it would cost $14.95 a month.

They are talking about credit monitoring. You can place a freeze on your credit for a low one time cost in most states (some states are free). I don't know where you live, but here is link for you to see the process/laws:

http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/learn_more/003484indiv.html

Example is New York:

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims. All others can place the freeze for free the first time it is used. These consumers pay $5 to lift it temporarily or remove it altogether. If they wish to re-start the freeze after it is removed, they pay a $5 fee.
Effective date of law: November 1, 2006

Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer

 

[Coach K]

When I did this 2 years ago, it was free. They just put a hold on your credit; that if someone tried to open an account using your information, that you would be contacted for confirmation. I guess times have changed.

They are required to send you a free credit report once a year when you request it. You would get a free report from all 3 credit bureaus for you to check for any mistakes.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

When I did this 2 years ago, it was free. They just put a hold on your credit; that if someone tried to open an account using your information, that you would be contacted for confirmation. I guess times have changed.

Again, it varies by state.

They are required to send you a free credit report once a year when you request it. You would get a free report from all 3 credit bureaus for you to check for any mistakes.

You request your free report from annualcreditreport.com, I'd recommend ordering your free report from just one of the three reporting agencies every 3 months, this way you can get on rolling schedule of reports instead of getting them all at once.

 

[ambgoph]

I agree with the security freeze. I had one placed at all 3 credit bureaus for free over 2 years ago. When I tried to open a new credit card, I couldn't - had to unfreeze Experian for $5 which allowed the cc company access for x days - it went back to being frozen. I can't even access my free credit reports without providing the code for each bureau.

I have peace of mind that my credit is secure with the security freeze. I highly recommend it!

 

[scrapquitler]

Go to www.ftc.gov and you should find info about identity theft there.

what you want is a CREDIT FREEZE. You need to go to the website of each credit bureau individually and sign up for it (FREE, at least in my state...there may be a fee depending on your state I think).


Here is a webpage from the state of NJ that explains it:
http://www.state.nj.us/dobi/division_consumers/finance/creditfreeze.htm

and an article from MSN: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/FinancialPrivacy/ShouldYouFreezeYourCreditReport.aspx But this article says that it costs $10 per credit agency to freeze your file in CT...and that is wrong (or perhaps just changed since this article was written)...when I did the credit freeze last year, it was free for me.