Identity theft?? Help with some insecurities?

Question

Ok I receieved a bill from a credit card today and it had a balance of $160...the thing is i never even called to activate the card and I didnt use it...I called and cancelled the card but I am scared now because what if the hackers or who ever got my credit card number in the first place steal more of my information... Could that happen? Could they steal my S.S number? Am i going to have to change it? What can I do please help I am going through a rough time 8-(

Answer 1

Where was the $160 dollars from? It sounds like this is a card you applied for, but just never activated it. Are you sure it is not an annual fee associated with the card. What did the bank say when you called them? If it is not a charge that is valid, someone may have gotten the number. However, there is no way someone could get your SSN from just a credit card. The bank should not make you liable for any charges that were not valid.

Now, if this is a card you know NOTHING about then someone may have gotten your information and opened up an account. In this case you should worry about it as it could be identity theft. In this case you should place a fraud alert on your credit reports in order to not have any more opened up without your knowedge. The link below will tell you how to do the fraud alerts.

Answer 2

Relax. Take a deep breath.

Now take a trip over to the link I supplied below and follow the directions. This is the FTC's page on Identity theft, and what you need to do.

The main item is to place an identity theft flag on your credit reports. Once placed, any time someone tries to take out credit in your name, the credit bureau will inform them to contact you personally before approving credit.

Other than that, there isn't much you can do to protect yourself. But remember, it's NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to verify someone's identification when they apply for credit. If a store owner accepts a credit card from a stranger, it's NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to pay them back for their stupidity.

The law is protecting you, but you need to understand your right and know how to use them. Read the link below.

Answer 3

STEP 1 : Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports.

Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. If you do not receive a confirmation from a company, you should contact that company directly to place a fraud alert.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Answer 4

My first thoughts, when I read your question, were exactly what OC posted in his first paragraph.

Check to see if the $160 is from the fees that are charged by the creditor.
If they are and you had definitely canceled the account, demand that they waive the fee.
If you failed to cancel, request that they waive the fee and tell them to cancel the card.

If it is not from any fees from the creditor, inform the creditor that you had never made a charge on the account.
And check out the links that OC and Studly posted.

Answer 5

I have been there & it sucks! Here's what you do: Go on line & ck yer credit (it's free). Next, file a police report. Next, contact Kroll. They handle idenity thefts. It's not free but, it is afforadable!

Answer 6

Here is a helpful article i found in the net abour what you are going to do if your identity is stolen.
http://www.badcreditresources.com/articles/Is-Your-Identity-Stolen-What-You-Should-Do
I hope you'll find this helpful