Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : Web Hosting Lounge : This SUCKS. My identity is stolen.

[Yoggi]

Today I got a letter from attorneys that my payments are behind...at a home shopping store I have never even visited or bought something from.
So I looked up the attorneys numbers in the phone book, and saw it is the same number given in the email.
I phoned them, and asked them what details they have on file of me. My SSN, phone number, the works.
And they tell me that there are more account payments that are more than 30 days late!
I phoned all the shops where "my" account payments are late, and they all confirmed my details. A few were friendly enough to fax me the application forms "I" completed to open the accounts. It is "me".

Someone reproduced my documents, opened accounts, bought lots of stuff during a week long shopping spree, and now I am in trouble for non payment. WTF!
What now?

Edit: And all the accounts the scammer opened that I know of are only the late payments that were handed over to the attorneys. What if the scammer opened more, and continues to open accounts and do his shopping as "me"? Even at this moment he can be buying stuff in my name. I am freaked out. How do I stop him?

[Quartz]

That really, really sucks.

I think you just have to work with everyone and hope for the best outcome possible.

[window]

Ouch man,that sucks,get a lawyer to solve you that

[zaax]

Can't you change your name?

[anon-e-mouse]

Contact your local law enforcement.

Ummmmm hang on, they emailed you? Something is wrong with this picture! Why didn't they send legitimate snail mail?

[bear]

Originally Posted by anon-e-mouse

Ummmmm hang on, they emailed you? Something is wrong with this picture! Why didn't they send legitimate snail mail?

Email?

Today I got a letter
...and saw it is the same number given in the email

[anon-e-mouse]

I'm not sure how things run in your country, but here, the store will send accounts for late payment. If you still don't pay, they will hand it over to a collection agency.

What advice do you really need? How to wipe your debt?

[anlene]

Is not "his" debt I think he feels kinda **** now, let's try not to corner him... I think obviously the first thing you gotta do is to report. Not report this thread but to the police

Let the authorities get hold of him before this scammer do more harm to the public. Then consult your lawyers regarding "your" unpaid goods.

[JayNL]

Hmm, one thing comes to mind:

webshops require email verification upon registering, right? Then why haven't you received those reg mails, but only the late payment mails?

[CaroNet-Hesham]

haven't heard of anything similar ...except in that movie "the net"
It sounds serious though, you should notify your lawyer about this ASAP

[Disgruntled]

Before spending money on a lawyer, you might try calling the Better Business Bureau to find out if they can give you some free advice on how to get started.

[unity100]

You should contact lawyers.

Also a way is to legally obtain the ip's the orders and registrations were made from, and learn where those ips were assigned at the time of orderings if possible, and if not, which isp assigns those ip's to where.

This would help you prove that you are not the person who used those ip's at given times.

[Barti1987]

Don't worry.

If it wasn't you, and you can prove it, you won't be liable for anything.

Just visit an attorney.

If anything, just blame it on Bush.

Peace,

[IH-Rameen]

Originally Posted by azizny

Don't worry.

If anything, just blame it on Bush.

LOL!


But azizny right.. If you can prove it wasn't you, then you can get away with it..
But that whole story just doesn't seem right... However you said you checked with the store and they confirmed the purchases... Are you sure these are real stores and weren't just dialing some fake numbers?

[FluffyTigger]

Ask where the stuffs got shipped to... If it was a store purchase, they should have security camera images.