That’s Not Me!

As for me, it began one crisp spring morning while applying for a loan to buy the car of my dreams. A rather reserved woman introduced herself as the Loan Officer and we began the task of getting to know me. In one moment like the swing of a pendulum, Ms. Loan Officer entered my information into her computer and her entire demeanor changed. Moving quickly to leave the room, she asked me to remain seated, when she returned, she began bantering with insignificant small talk. I thought the sudden transformation was a friendly gesture, and then her eyes went to the door behind me; I turned to meet two of Portland’s finest. The police had been called to arrest me, not me! This is a very bad nightmare!

The events leading to my near life of crime did not include me; however, the burden of proof to exonerate the charges of fraud and theft would lead to years of explanations, and frustration. Another woman had used my name, my social security number, my date of birth, and built an entire investment business in Boise, Idaho. I call her bad Valerie, after six successful months, she disappeared into the night with all of the investors’ money. I was frozen with fear, could I be arrested?

I had only been to Boise once the year before for a wedding; my stay was three nights in a better hotel. After going over everything with the police, my employer was able to verify my continued presence at work during the entire bad Valerie’s rein.

How could this happen? She actually lived as me for an extended time, leased an office, and drained countless good people of a great deal of money.

The situation that bad Valerie had caused left me two years of mopping up and continued cleaning of my credit report. Apparently, she had leased offices, rented an apartment, and bought a car, all in my name. Ironic, isn’t it? Bad Valerie buys a new car leaving my credit in such ruins I could not buy my car. Lesson learned, once something derogatory gets onto your credit report, it is not easily removed. The victim can spend a great deal of time and money cleaning up what a thief has done to their good name and credit. The victim may loose job opportunities, be refused loans, housing, and education.

The impact on one’s life is boundless. Your social security number can be fraudulently used to get a job. That person’s employer would report the W-2 wages earned using your SSN to the IRS. This will give the appearance that you did not report all of your income on your return. Suddenly, you owe more in taxes and penalties. Another scenario, the IRS has seen is the victim filling their income tax after the fraud has already filed and received a refund. If you thought dealing with the credit bureau was tough, try the good old IRS. If you ever receive a letter indicating that you have received income from an unknown employer, respond immediately indicating that you believe someone may have fraudulently used your Social Security Number and check your credit report.

If you suspect you may be at risk due to a lost purse of wallet, incorrect credit card activity, or credit report information the IRS has an Identity Theft Hotline at 800-908-4490.

An ounce of prevention can save a pound of pain.

• If you receive an email from a source claiming to be the IRS wanting information, forward it to phishing@irs.gov. The IRS never contacts people by email and wants to stop these solicitations.

One Attorney reported after having his wallet stolen, and within one week, the thief had received a PIN number from DMV to change his driving record information online. From there, it was an easy road to apply for a VISA card, open a credit line for a new computer, and start an expensive cell phone package. 

• To minimize the damage, start by making photo copies of all of you ID and Credit Cards both front and back. Keep the copy in a safe place so you can refer to them if necessary to cancel and contact all of them.
• Do not sign the back of your credit cards, instead write “PHOTO ID REQUIRED.”
• Do not put your account number on the line of a check if you are paying your credit card company. Only the last four numbers of your credit card are enough.
• When your checks are printed, have your work number on them not your home. If you have a PO Box include that instead of your address, if you do not have a PO Box use your work address.
• Do not give out your Social Security number; it is for work and tax purposes.

If you are a victim, file a police report immediately! This is your proof of diligence to the credit providers.

The most important thing to do if you fall victim to true identity theft is contact all three National Credit Reporting organizations. They will place an alert, and all activity by the thieves will be stopped immediately!

Here are the numbers:

• EQUIFAX: 800-525-6285
• EXPERIAN: 888-397-3742
• TRANS UNION: 800-680-7289
• SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION FRAUD LINE: 800-269-0271

Keep this information available and share it with your friends!

Valerie Kelly