Identity theft victim...

[Ushio]

Friend of mine just tried to open a store credit card a while ago and got denied. well the letter finally came and said his credit score was too low.

He got hold of a credit report and it apparently shows under public record: judgement about 2k from someone with the same last name but different first name.

Told him to call the credit agencies to put a fraud alert and get a full credit report. Also would be calling the bank to get more info on what the hell happened and hopefully get detail on statements/transcations.

Anyone know what else he should do next??

We actually think it might be someone close, but didn't want to say anything until we got more info from the bank.

 

[God Mode]

Identity security in the US is a total joke. My ex-friend was able to open multiple cell phone lines and a credit card under my name.

I was never sent information about it from any agency until I checked my credit and found a few collections notices about non-payment. To screw someone, all you need is a desperate business/incompetant pushover representative on the phone, some basic information about the person and their social security #.

 

[Vic Vega]

...

 

[Ushio]

Doubt it was a theft, sounds like a clerical error.

well it's a pretty damn big clerical error then since it ran up 2k on the account and ended up in judgment showing on public records

 

[amdhunter]

He's screwed for life.

 

[Stayfr0sty]

Did he get a "you just won the nigerian lottery" email?

 

[Ushio]

Did he get a "you just won the nigerian lottery" email?

well if he fell for those then nobody can save him

like I said we think we know who was it, but first thing is damage control and see how to get it off his record

 

[EagleKeeper]

He needs to get his reports from all three agencies.

Comb through for errors.
Dispute anything that is wrong.

Follow up in 2 months to ensure the cleanup has been done.

Standard procedure

 

[unokitty]

The lead federal agency for reporting ID Theft is the FTC. Their Identity Theft Web site is:

http://ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

The Texas AG also has an excellent site at:

https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/identity_theft.shtml

Your friend need to visit those sites. Download the appropriate literature. And take appropriate measures.

Uno

 

[highland145]

He can freeze his reports through the 3 agencies. That way no one can access them without him unlocking them.

That said, judgements can and are often screwed up. Especially medical. Here, I file them at the local court house. A 3rd party company comes in and get the info. Then they try and match it up against the debtor to put it on his report. But there's no social security number/birth day on the judgement record.