Could this be my daughters identity stolen

**Palooka** · 08-26-2009, 02:12 AM

I'm not sure what this means or how to deal with this. Last year or so I got a statement in the mail saying Discover card denied her. She was only sixteen and has never applied for any credit. I really didn't think to much about it then....

Tonight I get a letter and over a 2k check addressed to her from Canada saying she applied for this 'secret shopping job' on line and this is her first check and to cash it. There is no history in my computor of this.

I confronted her tonight about this...and she tells me that people have been calling her on her cell phone from several other states saying she won a trip, or her credit has been declined, or press 1 or something like that that sounds like a bill collector. She now just told me this part tonight! She has no credit. lol. This is just weird.

What does this mean?

How do I look into this? Should I just check into the credit report places and have them run her credit just to be safe? My goodness, she just got her first job this year. She has no clue about this and neither do I.

TIA

**frugalfranny** · 08-26-2009, 02:25 AM

I would definitely do some investigating. She doesn't need the headache.

If you don't have the letter......call discover, explain and ask them, they should help you. Also, whenever you are denied credit you have the right to know which one they used (Trans Union, or one of the others) and to get a report from them........even if you have already gotten your one 'free report' from them for the year. Do this too.......

You might also investigate the possibility of putting an alert on her credit ...not sure if you have to have an 'actual theft' or just think that it might be so.

Also.....I would do some investigating........NOT CASHING.......of the check that was rec'd. It sounds almost like it could be some sort of 'fishing thing'..........

You need to DO SOMETHING cause even at 16 YO it can be a pain to clear up and could cause trouble if it sits there.

Keep us posted........GOOD LUCK..........don't wait.

**Palooka** · 08-26-2009, 02:39 AM

Heck no that check won't be cashed. lol Yeah, I would think like checking with equifax. Wouldn't a person have to have her social security number though to do all of this? Or would it be someone with the same and first last name(not common) and also with her cell phone number. It makes no sense....

I would like to call those numbers that was on the paper tonight, but that is in Canada! No US numbers. And crazy that they have our address.

Yeah, it's not fair that this is happening to my daughter when she is just getting a start in life.

What do you mean "fishing thing"

**frugalfranny** · 08-26-2009, 02:55 AM

You don't have to have a SS# to get a credit report. (if this is what you meant) Name and birth date are plenty. What sort of info has she given out on-line.........in the chat rooms and etc??? Bet she has posted her address SOMEWHERE on line........to register or something.

The fishing part was just that..(figuring they are 'fishing' for something but that I wouldn't know what it was)......I am not up on the scam systems.....but can be suspicious.........why would they be sending her a check for APPLYING for a job? This.........along with the phone calls she has been getting tells me that they are 'fishing'.........either to get her 'signature' or SOMETHING! Something doesn't 'feel right'......and I say they are connected!! I have no clue......I just worked for a penitentiary........I didn't learn all the scams!!!

Hoped that helped with the fishing thing.

The discover call would be my first one tomorrow......even a year back they should be able to help you. Go to a supervisor if you have to!!

Might also check with local BBB and police to see if the 'check thing' has been a 'local scam' that is taking place in your area now. Also lets them know to watch for it.

**Palooka** · 08-26-2009, 03:15 AM

The only thing I know she posted on-line for info is Itunes. Heck no, no chat goes on here at all. I monitor our computor pretty darn close. Now being at another friends house, I can't control.

I have asked her these same questions and I always talk to her about giving info out on the net. She swears she has not ever given info out, whatsover. I really want to believe her. But...something doesn't add up though.

What I meant by the social security number is if ...if someone is trying to steal her identity. I would think they would need that. If they don't have her social security number, than I wonder where all this info is coming from??

**frugalfranny** · 08-26-2009, 03:40 AM

Not sure about all the ins and outs.......but once they get the info from the credit bureau they then HAVE her SS#.

When you request your report they always ask you if you want only the last four showing when delivered..........if they want the complete number they just say "no"......

I know they don't have to have the # to get the report as I have denied a dentist mine, and am currently shopping for car ins. and deny it to them knowing they want it to get my credit report and state to them when asked that they don't have to have it to get my credit report......which shuts them up pretty fast!........which is fine....but until I decide to BUY from them they aren't getting my number. Dentists and Dr's just want it so they can check your credit.

I don't know the BS line that the thieves have to come up with to get it.........but I am sure it can be done.......and probably darn easy......if we only knew.

Think about all the info that is in that report.......even for her probably.......any names you have used/gone by......birthdate......past addresses........and that is even for someone with NO CREDIT!

**LastDragonfly** · 08-26-2009, 03:59 AM

Call your postmaster and he will give you the address to send the 'fraudelent" check to....

Also after you get your credit reports you can alert your local law enforcement of identity theft also...you don't want someone using your dd's id and have an outstanding warrant...

They will help you in that way also....good luck...hopefully she just accidently clicked something on facebook...

**Preston** · 08-26-2009, 04:12 AM

My guess is that someone has her info and I would get a credit report ASAP and I would considering filing a police report if the credit report verifies this.

Please post the results of the credit report to us, because this is the key to what to do next.

Although I didn't have my identity completely stolen, about 9 years ago someone got my CC #'s to two of my cards and I had to go through a lot of crap to get it straightened out and I would be on this ASAP and keep pressing until you get answers.

**militlady** · 08-26-2009, 04:13 AM

The check thing is a total scam. Take it to the police or your local news so they can alert everyone in your area.

I would also get her credit reports from all three credit bureaus and make sure that her identity wasn't stolen. Pretty easy for you to check it out. It there is fraudulent charges, you need to have them investigated and as long as they are found to be fraudulent they will be removed. Also if you find that her identity has been stolen make sure you (she) puts a statement in her credit reports that credit should only be issued upon absolute verification of her identity in person.

**ml2620** · 08-26-2009, 06:24 AM

Get right on this, its not really LOL at all and could seriously impact college applications and financial aid, not to mention getting her start in life.

And all that aside, how did they get her cell phone number (which at this age would be in your name).

I'm thinking she may have a really bad friend.

**frugalwarrior** · 08-26-2009, 06:27 AM

frugal franny means phishing not fishing.

**pop goes the weasel** · 08-26-2009, 06:37 AM

When I starated working in 1993 They couldn't get my ss# to work. I come to find out that someone else in another state had the same number issued to them. Took awhile to get it straightened out. Then when SD came to live here her mother had opened a Capital one account in her (SD"s) name and charged almost $30,000 and also charged up a bunch on Columbia House. I don't know what Columbia House did but Capital one has a warrant for her mother for fraud. But of course they say they can't find her which is bull I gave them her address....The county jail where she lives. So be sure to take care of this right away. If I hadn't my SD would have had to pay all the charges her mother ran up. Good luck

**Greebo** · 08-26-2009, 07:01 AM

You might want to call Zander Insurance. They have a reportedly excellent Credit Fraud program and often can help you find out wtf is going on after the fact even if you didn't have a policy at the time. At least, that's what DR says, and it'll cost you nothing to call and ask.

**kita** · 08-26-2009, 08:02 AM

I don't know if anyone properly explained phishing. Phishing is trying to find out personal info usually through the computer although it has been done for years in other ways. Often some incentive (like the check) or threat (liket the "bill collectors") is attached and they use the info obtained for their own perposes.
I am sure your daughter's SS# is out there somewhere. Sometime the reason you gave the # is legit, but the person who saw it was not honest. Think school, banks, doctor's offices, your auto insurance (if she is driving), the DMV etc. The cell phone could be gotten from a school friend or list if this is someone you know. Even if the phone is in your name if they were able to pull your cell records, then a couple of phone calls to narrow down which phone is hers. (I assume you are on a family plan)

**Nishu** · 08-26-2009, 10:16 AM

I don't understand... if someone was trying to steal her identity, why would these calls be coming to her cell phone? It doesn't make sense for an identity thief to use the victims phone number on credit applications because it would most likely alert the victim to what's going on. Same goes with her address.

You should definitely go to annualcreditreport.com and check her reports before you do anything else. Be prepared to print the reports out.