My identity was stolen!

This guest post comes from Ron Haynes at The Wisdom Journal.

Sept. 23, 2004. That was the day I discovered that someone had stolen my identity. (I'll reveal who it was later in this article, but you’ll be surprised, believe me.)

Several nights earlier, we had come home and discovered a message on our answering machine from American Express, asking me to call to discuss my outstanding balance. After a little chuckle, I told my wife they must have loaded the wrong phone number into their automatic dialer because we didn't have an American Express card. "Don't worry about it," I said.

A few nights later, we had yet another message from them and my wife started getting suspicious. I was out of town the next day when she called me and asked if I was sitting down.

Note from Karen: Folks, it's National Protect Your Identity Week, sponsored by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and a new partner in this event, the Council of Better Business Bureaus. Here's some related reading that you'll find very informative.

·         Find 'shredding parties' in your state

·         Are you safe? 10 questions to find out

·         Steps to take if you've been victimized

·         Questions on identity theft? Ask an expert

She had called American Express to let them know we didn't have an AmEx card, but they wouldn't talk to her because she wasn't on the account. She did get the person on the line to tell her the account address, though.

When she told me the address, I knew immediately who it was: a voluntarily estranged family member who had knowledge of my Social Security number and birth date. As kids we had noticed that our Social Security numbers were very similar and I suppose this person had always remembered it. My identity had been stolen.

I had no idea what to do. I called American Express and told them what I suspected. They immediately shut everything down and gave me the phone numbers to all three credit bureaus to close the door on any further credit fraud. Generally, you’re only liable for the first $50 but AmEx waived that. I cannot praise the people at American Express enough.

• Bing: Identity theft horror stories

Did I mention that I had no idea what to do? Because it was a crime against me in another state, I called the FBI and asked what I should do. One of their agents told me to file a complaint locally, so I went to my local police station and filed the complaint. Because I had moved several states away, the detective told me that things would move along better if I filed a complaint in the city where the crime occurred. Fortunately, I knew another detective in that city and I informed him that I would be pressing charges.

The detective opened an investigation, got the proper warrants, and then told me the purchases were for televisions, restaurants, movies, gasoline, and some Internet purchases. Needless to say, my anger level was rising.

Because the first American Express account was shut down, this person applied for another one, then applied at Capital One, then at Advanta Bank Corp. Fortunately, I had placed a security freeze on my credit account and no additional cards were issued. 

• My close encounters with ID theft

After the investigation was completed, this person was arrested and later pleaded guilty to avoid jail time. I felt pretty comfortable with that because in Alabama, a second offense is a mandatory 10 years in prison. I doubt that this person will do it again, but I took one step to insure I'm not caught off-guard again by signing up for Equifax's credit-monitoring service. Yes, it is a continuing expense for me, but it buys me peace of mind.

If you discover your identity has been stolen, here are some steps you should quickly take:

• Contact the three major credit bureaus and put a freeze on your credit account. I've included their links here because phone numbers change. Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian are the "big three" credit bureaus. Each of them has a link for identity theft.
• File a complaint with your local police and with the police in the area the crime occurred if possible. This isn't always feasible, but it is a good idea.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by clicking on this link. Write down your complaint reference number and keep it in a safe place.
• Get a copy of your credit report. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com. Yes, it really is free.
• Call every credit issuer on your report and tell them what is happening. Be sure you go ahead and call those that were defrauded by the identity thief, too.
• Get an accordion file. You're going to need it.
• Document everything. Write down the name and extension number of every single person you talk with -- detectives, reps from the credit card company, everyone. No exceptions.
• Mail all documents "certified, return receipt requested." This way you have proof that you sent the documents and who signed for them.
• Make copies of everything you send to anyone.
• Decide if you will press charges. Depending on your personal situation, this can be a stressful time, especially if the criminal is a family member. Just remember, you did nothing wrong and you must rebuild your credit. In my case, the only way to get the four inquiries removed from my credit file was to have a guilty plea or conviction.
• Be prepared for this to take a long time to clear up. Don't give up, though. You'll get through it eventually.

Identity theft is a growing problem and it doesn't show signs of letting up. Millions of people are affected every year. I was affected by someone applying for a credit card in my name, but credit card fraud makes up only 60% of identity theft. Checking accounts, savings accounts, phone service, Internet payment accounts, even medical insurance are subject to identity theft.

Other than credit-monitoring services, what else can you do? I would suggest you follow the FTC's suggestions. Summarizing their site,

• Deter thieves by protecting your personal information and credit.
• Detect thieves by monitoring your accounts and credit.
• Defend against thieves by taking appropriate actions if you suspect illegal activity on your credit file.

In my heart, I forgave the person who stole my identity. But actions have consequences and I did press charges. Identity theft is a Class C felony in Alabama and this person got three years' probation. I sincerely hope this never happens again. Getting my credit file back in order was a pain in the neck and I'll have to pay well over $100 per year for credit monitoring for who knows how long.

Identity theft can haunt you for a long time. Take the necessary precautions now.

Related reading at The Wisdom Journal:

• Can you pass my identity theft test?
• Surprise! Your identity may have already been stolen
• Danger: Cell phone hackers are after your identity too