I got a phone call from MNBA 2/11/02le wanting to why I had not paid on my account since Aug. I never applied for a card with them. I have lived at the same address in Texas for 20+ years. They said they mailed the card to P.O. Box in another state. They said the amount I owed was 16,600+. They call about everyother day. I have gotten CR from TU and EQN and this account is listed on both plus the out of state address. I have sent dispute to both of the credit bureaues. Then I called my Citbank to see if there was any strange transactions and found that 9,000 had been charged by an online casino which I knew nothing about. This was in about 3 days. Then I called Sears and they had allowed the same online casino to charge over 5,000. I don't use my cards much and have never made charges in this way. It seems like they should have notified me of the strange charges. Can anybody tell me what to do? I have already disputed charges and changed account #.
FRAUD You need to put an alert on your reports. Search the Internet for "stolen identity" many have had this happen some w/ good results others w/ nightmares I would check everything I have bank accounts & all credit cards. Good Luck
I have put fraud alert on all credit reports. I still have not gotten credit reort from Equifax. If MBNA had contacted me when this account was opened then I could have prevented these other problems. MBNA still has not mailed me anything, they just call. Please Help!
The numbers to report fraud and place SSN alert are: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742 Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289 Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271 http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ There are many internet articles on ID theft
I can see how someone could steal your citi and discover cards and make bogus charges on them,but how could they steal a mbna card that you don't have and run up charges?? keep us posted on this. FROM one 59 to another.
It's possible that they stole her information and applied for a card in her name and had the bills etc. sent to a different address (which would be why she's never seen them). This is scary stuff - do keep us posted on what happens.
The MBNA card was sent an out of state address that was not mine. I have lived at the same address in Texas for 20+ years. MNBA checked my credit reports on 5/01 and opened the account in 6/01 they didn't bother to call and see if we had moved. In 2/02 they called and wanted to know why I was not paying my bill. That is the first I had heard of this account. It had been deliquent since 8/01. After the call from MBNA, I called all my credit cards and that is when Citi told me I owed over 9,000. I had charges only 455.00 on my account 1/02. I nearly had a heart attack. Then I found out that Sears had also let someone charge over 5500 to the same online casinos. I have always paid my bills in full when I received them. I have never made charges like this. I just hope this doesn't take too long to straighten out. I just can't believe a credit card company would let this mush be charged without contacting me. Two of my cards did contact me and said they had denied charges for online gambling because it was illegal. Those cards were 1st USA and Direct Merchants Bank. Please give me some ideas.
If someone applied online there would be nothing with a signature, would that make a difference or be of any help?
MBNA has not gived me any information but that it mine. I told them that was not my address and I didn't apply for the card. I am so tired of the phone calls, I finally hung up on them when they called on my anniversary. I am 61 and my husband is 63 we are too old to have to go through this. We are having a hard time sleeping and eating, this is so upsetting. We farm and that is bad enough. Don't need problems like this. If I thought I could sue the Credit card companies I think I would. This should never happen to anyone.
Have you talked with an attorney? It may be worth a consultation fee for peace of mind and knowing what your rights are. I would think if it was sent out of state and you have never lived out of state it is positive proof of identity fraud.
You should IMMEDIATELY notify your State's AG,plus your local law enforcement and file a criminal complaint of identity theft.In addition,most State's have a Fraud division that deals specifically with your problem PLUS many States have additional assistance in the case of fraud against senior citizens.
Last month I did three different $1000 transactions on my Citi card. I have a very high limit so this is not unusual for me. Each time their security people called and asked if I had made the transaction. It is amazing to me that they did not call you on that large of a transaction. I agree that you need to do some research on identity theft. I know that you are not responsible for any of it, but you need to make sure you are handling it the right way. One sugesstion: save a copy of every letter you send or receive. Also, keep a log of who you talk to, when it was, and what was said. You may need it for proof later. You might also see what the laws are in Texas for taping phone calls. If it is allowed, get a tape recorder and the phone recording device (available at Radio Shack and other places) to tape your calls. My experience is that these people will lie and it would be helpful to have some backup. Just remember to check on your state laws. It is a felony to tape conversations in some states. Just ask Linda Tripp. I actually know a friend who was prosecuted for this.
The Card companies could prevent a lot of the fraud if they would always require the card holder to sign all charge slips before any funds could be dispersed! There is no valid reason for them not doing so!
I have kept copies of all letters that I have sent. They were sent CRRR. I got two cards back today. One from CSC and one from citi. The one from sears has not come back. In Texas you can record a call if 1 person knows about it, and I would know I was recording it. I am mailing letter to TU and ExN CRRR on Monday. I sill have not gotten CR from EQ. That is all I know to do now.
I'm so sorry! You're right you shouldn't have to deal with this! This is what the FTC says you need to do first, call: FTC's Identity Theft Hotline toll-free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338). Here's the link to the FTC's Consumer Handbook: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm It has a universal affadavit that you're supposed to only have to fill out one time for submitting to companies. Definately call your local police department and state's attorney general. ASAP! You did the right thing in contacting your credit card companies, be sure and take date/time/name notes; I believe with credit cards if you dispute the charges, you can't be held liable for any more than $50. I'm still reading through this for you, everyone should read it!!!!! looks like what happened to you is very common with online transactions and cell phone accounts especially. Hope this helps.
ewwwwwwwwwww, this chaps my butt! Equifax â?? www.equifax.com To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285/ TDD: 800-255-0056 and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 Experian â?? www.experian.com To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013 To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)/ TDD: 800-972-0322 and write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion â?? www.transunion.com To order your report, call: 800-916-8800 or write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022 To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289/ TDD: 877-553-7803 and write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
