So, some poor bastard stole my identity...

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Good god, who would want to be me?!

Apparently, sometime last November, someone got ahold of my S.S.# and probably some other stuff, opened a credit card under my name, made some charges (although the credit co. didn’t disclose the amount charged, once they got in touch with us).

Then, a week later, we get a call from Sprint. Apparently “I” opened a cel account, and racked up over $2k in cell charges.

We made it clear with Sprint, that I do not, indeed, live at the address the thief had given him (about 30 miles from where I live… I have the address, but who know’s if it’s really his?), and took the next step in calling the police.

So, there’s a report, the criminal investigation dept. will be getting back with us. And I sincerely doubt I’ll have to cough up the charges for fraud (we’re in Michigan).

In the mean time… I have this address, and can even see the apartments, cars and street using street view. Nothing looked familiar to me, so I doubt it’s anyone I know (but I do have a couple suspicions; not about who exactly, but if it is someone who knows me, it’s likely from a place of business I worked at for about 8 months. Ran into a few shady characters there, and they didn’t exactly have good security in accounting, etc.)

ALSO, We called the guy at Sprint back. I’m wondering if we can get the cell number. I’m not sure what I’d do with it, but I’m just curious as hell about the circumstances. Chances are it’s just a random theft… but still…

Let me be clear right now: I have NO intention on taking matters into my own hands, because 1) I don’t want to break the law, and 2) It would be stupid and dangerous.

On the other hand… is there a way to use the address (and the cell number, but I have a feeling they won’t release that), to dig a little deeper for curiosity, or even sleuthing’s sake, if I can find something to give the police?

Or, should I just let the fuck keep my identity, and forward my income taxes to him? :wink:

2

I’m sorry to hear that - that’s gotta be a real pain in the ass. I hope I’m not that unlucky but it makes me worry that it’s so easy to steal an identity that all you need is an SS#. Even if you’re fairly careful about guarding it, that number still gets around on a number of forms where it’s required (and who knows how many people end up seeing them or otherwise have access to them) but even more alarming is the fact that it’s just a 9 digit number. There are only 1 billion possible numbers, and somewhere north of 300 million people in the country (not to mention the dead ones - do SS numbers get recycled when people die?) so even if you just guess at random you have a ~1/3rd chance of guessing a currently valid SS#.

3

Are you married? Girlfriend? Has the sonofabitch conned her into having sex with “you” yet?

4

So far, the PITA part has been (thankfully) minimal… the companies have been great, and the police was very quick, thorough and polite. He did mention how easy and often this sort of thing happens.

In fact, the reason I suspect the place I was working at last year, is I received an email from the doofus of an accountant this fly-by-night company hired, and attached was PDFs on everyone’s insurance info, which included everything you’d need to steal someone’s identity. I let him know (as did others) that I was… how shall I say… displeased.

Anyway, my biggest concern at this point is gaining peace of mind that I won’t have to cover this sort of fraud. I’m sure both companies are insured against such things, and I did nothing negligent on my part. You’re so right Rigamarole, it’s just far, far too easy to find that 9-digit number, then fill in the rest of the blanks like phone numbers and addresses which are everywhere in this day and age.

I really hope they’re able to tag this guy… especially if it’s someone who knows me… I’d really like to find out. Also how it happened… but cases like these are so low on law-enforcement totem poles.

::shrug::

5

Happily married… and I can’t imagine she’d mistake me for anyone else! :wink:

6

Neither Sprint nor the police is going to give a rat’s ass. Sorry, but that’s how it goes. Unless it leads to a huge fraud ring or they want to get the person because of other issues, no one will do anything. Kind of shocking really.

Try not to laugh when Sprint refuses to give you the cell number, citing customer privacy rules. That’s what they told me after someone used my card number to buy new phones and activate them.

7

Maybe find out if the guy has a full head of hair, and steal his identity right back? :smiley:

8

Post #6:

Post #4:

:rolleyes:

9

When my credit card was stolen they accidentally included the xbox live logon information that they purchased a subscription under in some papers they faxed me to sign.

I had all my gamer buddies add him to their friends list. Lets just say he didn’t get to use that subscription very long. They might not have been as effective as they think they were, it could have been MS finally reversing the transaction and banning him but it made them feel like they were helping and me feel like I was doing something other than being victimized.

10

Have you filed fraud reports with the credit reporting agencies? Have you contacted every bank, credit union, company, utility, etc., which you have an account and brought them up to speed your identity has been compromised? Do you have the actual names of the police officers and detectives involved in your case? Has your wife contact her account holders as well?

Have you read this site? Identity Theft | Consumer Advice

11

Nope! Well not all of that. I made the first step in calling the police over today, and have his name on the report (and will get the investigators name, of course, when/if they get back in tough).

Otherwise, thank you… It’s all very prudent and good suggestions that I’ll hop on tomorrow.

I’ve delt with local law enforcement before over theft and such and realize this sort of thing usually never gets resolved. Hence this post to the Dope. See? Already I’m getting good advise…

12

How come you always come up with the best ideas? I’d rather he inherit my taxes and debt, than have a full head of hair again. Okay, well… It depends on his cut and style.

Aren’t you closer to River Rouge than I am? Maybe you and hubs can stake his place out?! :smiley:

13

There are not enough rolleyes in the world for this accountant. I’d snatch the accountant baldheaded.

14

That’s just the tip of the iceberg at that place. Indeed, this guy was quite a particular piece of work, though.

Also, how’d you know he was baldheaded!* :eek:

*Really… he was as bald as Curly. And about as smart.

15

Sprint ought to give you the cell phone number if it’s in your name. You have just as much right to it as the identity thief does.

At that point, you can call him and pretend to be your own accountant. Tell him that the $10,000 check just came through and he should pick it up right away. Have the cops waiting for him when he gets there.

16

You might want to actually arrange that with the cops, first.

You need more than just the number. You have to have the name, and usually have to answer questions about your address and stuff. I know: my grandfather authorized me to use his social to set up a payment plan back when I was 18 and had no credit. I’m glad I knew his old address, or I’d be sunk.

17

I thought all accountants were bald and boring.

(Before I get flamed I am joking- my partner is an accountant).