Who here has tips for SMs or has had their identity stolen? And what are some techniques for repairing credit afterwards?

COL Lee Flemming — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 03:27:12 -0400

Never happened to me, but I have assisted numerous SMs with letters of support. The fact is that it is absolutely devastating. What have you done to secure yourself, and what advice do you have for our fellow RP members that could help. Share your stories.

Response by COL Lee Flemming made Aug 12 at 2016 3:28 AM

COL Lee Flemming — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 03:28:20 -0400

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Aug 12 at 2016 6:50 AM

SGT Aaron Atwood — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 06:50:15 -0400

Best defense I have found is constant vigilance. Keeping a good subscription with an anti-ID theft group helps too because the workers of such groups are paid to stay ahead of the thieves. Doesn't have to be Lifelock either, and up to a hundred a year for the subscription is a small price compared to the financial damage ID theft can have.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 11:06 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:06:28 -0400

I found out when I got home from Africa that someone had opened a new cell phone account using my name and an address that I moved from in 2001.
I ended up dealing with a collection company - how I first found out about it - and the company itself, explaining that I was literally on a different continent and that Verizon should know where I lived, since I had a current account that had never been late from my current address for since 2008. All for naught. They really want "their" money. Well, they ain't gonna get it, and I advised them that unless they want to lose my account of many years to Sprint or someone else, they'd better figure it out.
They've offered settlements at a reduced rate, but I am standing on principle. If they want to keep on pushing it, I'll see them in small claims court.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 2:22 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:22:15 -0400

I protected myself by signing up for the free monitoring service from Uncle Sam when the great and powerful OPM hack happened.

Prevention is the best cure for any ailment though.
USAA has an excellent fraud detection unit and policies designed to benefit the customer. Check with your bank to see what they offer in the form of protection or how they handle claims.

Also, only use ATMs from bank branches (the ones at the bank or bank drive thru), never one at a convenience store or that looks like a mini slot machine or one that can be carted off. Skimmers can be planted in one of the small ones as 7-11 doesn't own them and could care less if someone was messing with one.

Response by PVT William Bresch made Aug 17 at 2016 5:39 AM

PVT William Bresch — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 05:39:28 -0400

Well, I took my credit score from 550 to 700. here is how I did it.

1. Check your credit score
2. All medical bills are %100 wrong (Told to me by Medical Billing company out of Georgia and damn if Renee, wasn't right).
3. Put a fraud alert on all and I mean ALL your accounts. (they have to call you before anything new goes on your credit or anything is opened by Federal law).( Don't believe me, look it up).
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0275-place-fraud-alert
4. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, become your own lawyer. (YES YOU CAN).
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Your-Own-Lawyer-in-Court
5. Trust no one when it comes to credit lines, except your Knowledge, Research and Intelligence.
6. SUCCEED !!!

This message brought to you by, how to Win your own Battles and be a Lifelong Leader for Others to Follow in your Footsteps...

Integrity Bresch, when we lead people, "SUCCEED" !!!

Place a Fraud Alert | Consumer Information

Ask 1 of the 3 credit reporting companies to put a fraud alert on your credit report. They must tell the other 2 companies. An initial fraud alert can make it harder for an identity thief to open more accounts in your name. The alert lasts 90 days but you can renew it.

Response by SPC Jim Cundiff made Sep 5 at 2016 10:18 PM

SPC Jim Cundiff — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 22:18:07 -0400

If you are not buying a house or car in the next 60 days, the best advise anyone can heed is FREEZE your credit. That keeps any new accounts from being opened. It does not affect your current lines of credit, and can be undone within about 72 hours. This is game over for the identity thieves. In most states, if you have been a breach victim, it may be free. if not, each of the three credit bureaus charge $5 -10 to do this, you need to do all three