Credit Security and Identity Theft : Question

Jussa · ‎01-11-2014

Hi,

A family member unfortunately has my social security number and already knows personal info about me such as my date of birth. Although nothing has happened, I'm a little concerned about this person using my information in a malicious manner, that is, identity theft. I may be unduly concerned. This person is not stupid, but can be irrational at times IMO. We are not on good terms.

I have already contacted one of the credit bureaus and learned about placing a fraud alert on my account as one possible measure (monthly fee) or putting a lock on my account that I would have to unlock any time a lender would need to check my credit.

Does anyone have experience with this? Is there a downside to me for placing fraud alerts or locks on my account in terms of how lenders view me?

What measures if any would you suggest I take to protect myself?

TIA!

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

Have you called a lawyer or police?

Jussa · ‎01-11-2014

On 2/21/2014 glb613 said:
Have you called a lawyer or police?

Nothing has happened yet and may never happen. It is just a concern of mine. Attorneys and police do not take action unless something has actually happened.

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

On 2/21/2014 Jussa said:
On 2/21/2014 glb613 said:
Have you called a lawyer or police?

Nothing has happened yet and may never happen. It is just a concern of mine. Attorneys and police do not take action unless something has actually happened.

That's not true. You can call for advice.

gazelle77 · ‎03-01-2013

Get life lock or the like.

Jussa · ‎01-11-2014

glb, the detective in my police precinct suggested something like lifelock, which gazelle suggested. I will look into that. Thanks.

TeezNu · ‎03-10-2010

Clark Howard states on his website that the only way to secure your credit from identity theft is to freeze your credit, as you said you have already done with one of the credit reporting agencies. Now, you just need to do the same thing with the other two agencies. Am not sure, but I think that services like LifeLock don't really do any good, because they just notify you of unusual activity AFTER it has occurred. Freezing your credit is a proactive methodology.

“There are two ways to be rich: One is by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little.” —Jackie French Koller

Jussa · ‎01-11-2014

On 2/21/2014 TeezNu said: Clark Howard states on his website that the only way to secure your credit from identity theft is to freeze your credit, as you said you have already done with one of the credit reporting agencies. Now, you just need to do the same thing with the other two agencies. Am not sure, but I think that services like LifeLock don't really do any good, because they just notify you of unusual activity AFTER it has occurred. Freezing your credit is a proactive methodology.

I only said I have learned about this option. I have not done this yet as I don't know what the ramifications are.

That's why I posted the question for anyone's experience with this and recommendations. I also asked the question if something like freezing my credit (that is, locking my account) would present any kind of negative impact on me to a future lender. In other words, would a lender look negatively on a fraud alert or a locked account when making a decision towards me?

Lynnj · ‎03-21-2010

I, personally, wouldn't go through the hassle of doing any of that. Sounds like an aggressive approach for something that may or may not happen. I sign on to all of my accounts daily to check recent activity, and ensure everything listed is a transaction of mine. Takes five minutes out of my day to check everything, and I have several different bank and credit card accounts. One time, a few years ago, I noticed a transaction was not mine and immediately contacted the credit card company. Told them it wasn't mine, they closed the account, issued a new card, and i wasn't responsible for the charges. All banks and credit card companies have this process in place to help consumers. One thing you might want to do is call all of your places where you have accounts, and have them out a note on the account that says to jot talk to anyone BUT you about your accounts. This will also add an alert, so the customer service rep will do an extra layer of identity when someone calls in for assistance. Also, I'd change all of the PINs and passwords on your accounts. For your family member, it would be fraud if they did anything. So if you can prove it was them then the court will take care of it.

Jussa · ‎01-11-2014

On 2/21/2014 Lynnj said: I, personally, wouldn't go through the hassle of doing any of that. Sounds like an aggressive approach for something that may or may not happen. I sign on to all of my accounts daily to check recent activity, and ensure everything listed is a transaction of mine. Takes five minutes out of my day to check everything, and I have several different bank and credit card accounts. One time, a few years ago, I noticed a transaction was not mine and immediately contacted the credit card company. Told them it wasn't mine, they closed the account, issued a new card, and i wasn't responsible for the charges. All banks and credit card companies have this process in place to help consumers. One thing you might want to do is call all of your places where you have accounts, and have them out a note on the account that says to jot talk to anyone BUT you about your accounts. This will also add an alert, so the customer service rep will do an extra layer of identity when someone calls in for assistance. Also, I'd change all of the PINs and passwords on your accounts. For your family member, it would be fraud if they did anything. So if you can prove it was them then the court will take care of it.

The thing is, I don't do anything on-line for the very reason of identity theft! I don't pay any of my bills on-line either. While someone can steal your mail, I think it would be much more likely for a hacker to access your personal info on-line.

If this family member has my SS and personal info, how would a bank know if they are talking to me on the phone or talking to the family member?

I don't understand what difference would it make if I changed my PINS on my accounts? The family member doesn't know my current PIN from a new PIN I would create.

Your last sentence is what puzzles me. If my accounts were compromised, how could I possibly prove it was due to this family member? I don't see how I could.