My bag was just stolen and I had some paystubs with my social security# my address and name what should i do?

Answer 1

Major problem. There is not much you can do since it is rare that Social Security will allow a number change. You can notify the credit bureaus to put a stop on all credit without your authorization.

There is some information here http://ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm but it seems to be useful only after someone has used the number.

Answer 2

Call all your Credit Card companies first to get a freeze on the damage they will do there. Most CC's will limit the amount of charges you're liable for and disregard the rest provided you contact them in a timely fashion. (Like now!) Then, your banking institution to stop them from accessing your accounts. In addition, contact the DMV to report the theft of your DL.

If your keys were in the bag, get any lock for you house or car changed immediately. Remember, they know where you live now too!

Then Contact all 3 credit reporting (Transunion, Equifax, and I can't recall the other one) agencies IMMEDIATELY to freeze any new credit accounts from being opened. Many states have credit freeze options because of ID theft. Lastly, report it to the local police (just in case they catch the scumbag using your stuff!)

Hopefully, you noticed this theft quickly and you'll have caught this before real damage can be done. Good luck. Cleaning up ID theft is VERY hard work!

Answer 3

To protect yourself from becoming a victim:

* Don't carry a checkbook. Pay by cash or credit card.
* Don't carry your Social Security card with you or use your Social Security number as your driver's license number.
* Buy a paper shredder. Shred any documents listing your social security number and other financial information such as your bank account numbers and credit card numbers. This is the number one way of preventing identity theft.




If someone is using your identity and cashing your checks or credit cards, you should:
Report the situation immediately to your bank or credit card company. You may not have monetary liability because forgery and/or fraud is involved, but you will want the companies to be aware of the problem, as this is something that could affect your credit. In addition, follow these instructions to fully protect yourself:

a) Contact all three credit bureaus and issue a fraud alert. Check your credit report six months later and look for items you don't recognize.
b) Provide a copy of your driver's license to each agency's fraud unit in order to register an affidavit.
c) Contact the proper authorities in writing, via certified receipt request.
d) Inform your local police department, Social Security Administration and all creditors with whom you have accounts.

Credit bureaus:
Equifax: 800-525-6285
Experian: 888-397-3742
Transunion: 800-680-7289
SSA Fraud Hotline: [phone]

If a thief steals your identity and begins racking up debt:
A) Contact the fraud units of the three credit reporting agencies. Request that your account be flagged and add a victim's statement saying, "MY ID has been used to fraudulently apply for credit. Call me at this number to verify all applications." Find out how long the fraud alert will be posted and how to extend it if you need to. Check your credit report and look for items you don't recognize.

B) Contact your credit card companies and financial institutions to report the fraud. Get new cards, have old accounts colsed with a memo stating, "account closed at customer's request." Follow up in writing.

C) Call the police and get the crime on record, then get a copy of the police report. Keep a log of all conversations including date, name, phone number, and the information provided.

D) Notify the Federal Trade Commission, which keeps a database of identity thefts. Phone: (888) FTC-HELP; Address: FTC, CRC-40, Washington D.C. 20580.

E) Notify you bank and if necessary, cancel checking and savings accounts and get new account numbers. Request a password that may be used in every transaction. Get a new ATM card, account number and password. Don't use your SS # or birthdate as a password.

F) Don't pay any bill or part of a bill resulting from identity theft.

Answer 4

Contact any one of the three credit bureaus and ask them to put an identity theft warning on your account. If anyone tries to do anything with the information they stole, you will be notified.

Call your credit card companies, and have them issue new cards.

Ensure you file a police report, so that you can show when this happened.

The worst case scenario is that someone will use your identity and you will be left to clean up the mess. Letting the credit agencies know will help prevent that.

Answer 5

Report the thief to the police, then call your bank and credit card companies to report the thief, then call Social Security and report the thief.

Next change the locks on your doors and if you do not already have one get a club for your vehicle and use it.

I am sorry this happened to you, it is such a violation to have your personal items taken from you and the damage the bad guys can do with your personal information is horrible.

Good luck to you, I hope your bad guy was just after your cash and not your identity.

Answer 6

Notify your employer you will have to take steps to protect your 401K/pension or whatever retirement program that you have. Close your checking/savings/IRA/etc accounts and ask for the advice of a financial counsellor. Cancel your credit cards, and notify all 3 major credit reporting services. Don't forget any store credit cards you have too. Notify the DMV and get a new license. You will have to be especially vigillant of your credit report for the next few years. Make sure that you get a regular report. Notify your family as well to be on the lookout of any suspicious activity.

In the future, I would only carry what is essential in my purse, and nothing with my SSN on it. Good luck in recovering from this.

Answer 7

You will not be given a new SS#, so close all your accounts and get new ones and call the credit bureaus. You will now have to watch your credit closely, as these people now how the info to open accounts in your name. It would be good to enroll in one of those credit monitoring services, but you should now check your own credit report regularly and put whatever flags on your account with the credit bureaus that you can.

Answer 8

Call the police and file a report. Then call the credit bureaus to have them place a fraud alert on your credit. If anyone trys to credit in your name they will contact you before they approve anything. I hope this helps.

Answer 9

You should cancel all your credit cards and alert your bank as well as the police.

Answer 10

REPORT IT TO THE POLICE AND YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE
CANCEL YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS

THE S.S. OFFICE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO GIVE YOU A NEW NUMBER
GOOD LUCK