Is this an identity theft scam?

Question

Today, I received a call from a man claiming to be from TIAA-CREF. He said there were discrepancies in my SSN and then rattled off a SSN. I didn't respond yes or no but said that I would contact TIAA-CREF directly to resolve any problems. When I contacted them, the TIAA-CREF call center said no employee would ever call me about my SSN. Would it be a good idea to put a fraud notice on my credit report immediately? To make matters more complicated, I am right in the middle of applying for a mortage to purchase a home and I don't want that process screwed up.

Answer 1

you were right on with it.. and YES, i would put a freeze on your credit report (some states allow a freeze) so no new accounts could be opened without your permission.

--10 MILLION people per year are victims of Identity Theft.

--Todays growing target for criminals; are children and teens identities (SS#). Why? Because parents never think to check/protect their childrens reports.

1) run a free credit report from each agency (your allowed one free one per year, per agency). you need to know, so you need to get them.
2) Check your childrens also (check the link below as to how to)
3) if ID Theft has occurred, you need to make a police report first. the rest of what you need to do, is listed in the links below (with GREAT info too).
4) some states allow you to 'lock' or 'freeze' credit reports; to protect against theft. if your state allows it, lock 'em down. that way, no one can open an account on them.
5) once you discover their credit reports have activity on them, then contact each credit reporting agency (the 3 major ones) and report the ID Theft... and request they lock the reports (usually they automatically do it, but ask for it anyway).

REMEMBER; you are only allowed to run credit reports on YOURSELF and YOUR MINOR CHILDREN (NO, not when they are adults).

To run a report on anyone else, they have to authorize it, and you better have proof of that authorization. If you do it without their knowledge, you are legally liable and they can not only report you to the state/federal authorities, but they may decide to sue you in a court of law.
http://www.ftc.gov/credit/
http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/index.html

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2002/05/67fr36585.pdf
“…security or integrity of such records; and
protect against unauthorized access to
or use of such records or information
that could result in substantial harm or
inconvenience to any customer.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective on
May 23, 2003.”


'Active Duty' Alerts Help Protect Military
Personnel from Identity Theft
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/dutyalrt.htm



ID THEFT HELP/ INFO
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
http://www.ic3.gov/
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/con_steps.htm
http://www.idtheftcenter.org/index.shtml
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/index.html
http://www.fraudguides.com/consumer-identity-theft-children.asp
http://www.ripoffreport.com/
http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/
http://www.ncpc.org/media/current.php
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/widtpubl$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU03
http://www.myidfix.com/
http://www.identitytheftassistance.org/index.html
http://identitytheftnow.com/


ORDERING CHILDRENS REPORTS
(yes, its free)
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/helpfaq

ORDERING YOURS: ONLINE, PHONE, MAIL
(yes, its free)
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/order

FAQ ABOUT CREDIT REPORTS
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/helpfaq

FAIR DEBT COLLECTION
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/statue-limitations-explained.html
EACH STATES SoL
http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/statue-limitations.html
http://www.fair-credit-reporting.com/credit-laws/credit-reporting-periods.html

CAPITAL ONE
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/WeirdStuffThatHurtsYourCredit.aspx?GT1=8885
Capital One refuses to report its customers' credit limits to the three major credit bureaus. Instead, the bureaus use the highest balance a customer has charged as a proxy for the limit.

As a result, the customers' all-important "debt utilization ratios" -- the portion of their available credit these borrowers are actually using -- can appear artificially high. That can depress borrowers' credit scores, the three-digit numbers lenders use to help determine creditworthiness.

Lower credit scores can mean higher interest rates on mortgages, car loans and other borrowing, as well as potentially higher insurance premiums, since many insurers also use credit-scoring systems to help gauge risk.


CREDIT REPORT INFO / REPAIRS / DISPUTES
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre21.htm
http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/starting/archive/2007/st0221.htm
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20040116b1.asp
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/helpfaq
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/forms/credit-report-error-fix.asp
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bankruptcy/20070313_credit_report_stains_a1.asp
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/forms/credit-report-error-fix.txt
http://bankrate.com/
http://www.occ.treas.gov/customer.htm

TO ORDER A FREE CREDIT REPORT
(all three are free once a year)

Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
www.equifax.com
1-800-685-1111
_______________
Experian
P.O. Box 19719
Irvine, CA 92623
www.experian.com
1-888-397-3742
_______________
TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022
www.transunion.com
1-800-916-8800


FIND YOUR REPS
http://www.usa.gov/
http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/State_and_Territories.shtml
http://www.nga.org
http://www.naag.org/attorneys_general.php
http://judiciary.senate.gov/

Answer 2

You performed beautifully. You should call your local Better Business Bureau so they can issue a warning about such calls happening in your area.

It would be a great idea to simply request a copy of your report right now. You don't have to put the fraud report on - just check current activity.

**WILD APPLAUSE** for your smarts. Make sure you pass along those smarts to everyone you know when you let them know about the calls.

Peace.

Answer 3

Very smart...never give or confirm your SSN. Was the number he gave the correct one? If so, you should check your credit report to make sure it's correct.

That's a hard one - I personally would put the fraud notice AFTER the home sale goes through. It's risky, but like you said, you don't want to mess up the process.

Hope that helps!

Answer 4

i would put a fraud notice immediately, don't give out SSN, and yes it is a scam, if u ever need further information on scams http://scamsbeware.com is a good resource center to help you stay informed, best wishes.

Answer 5

If he did not give the right social, and you did not give them yours, I would not worry too much about it. You can check your report, though to make sure.

But, yes, someone is trying to steal your identity.

Answer 6

i would especially if the company says no one would call about ur ssn...i had a issue where someone used me and my hubbys info and it showed up on our credit report and we had to dispute it, and we too are looking to buy a house...so yeah i would just so u can know when ur credit report is being used...i did...good luck!

Answer 7

YES!!!! GO NOW! I have had this happen to me. Do NOT waste time. Get protected before they screw you right up.