And the plot sickens...
I finally got around to calling Washington Mutual about the account that I didn't open that a collection agency is coming after me for. I explain the situation to the nice lady, all about how, according to the collection agency, someone used my social security number to open a bank account with them. She looks up the number and... "Hmm. I don't show there's ever been an account with us under this social security number."
Next call? Right back to the collection agency to find out what type of account was supposedly opened, and request documentation. I may just wait until I get my third credit report so I can see what's on it first. If it turns out this isn't on any of the three, someone's getting fraud charges brought against them.
In other interesting credit-related news, I've requested copies of my reports from the three major reporting agencies. Equifax and Experian were able to give them to me online... but TransUnion not only won't give it to me online, I had to request it by mail, and have now received a letter saying I have to send them proof of my identification before they'll send me a copy of my report. I know that this is unusual because Michael just pulled his reports a month or so ago with no problems at all. Can't wait to receive this one and find out just what the fuck is going on.
Also need to find a good credit lawyer. Along with this crap, the company I financed my old car through has put the same loan on my report three times under three different account numbers, written off each time. I suspect there's going to be a lot of fun things for a lawyer to do with that one.
And people wonder why I long for a normal life. Le sigh.
Next call? Right back to the collection agency to find out what type of account was supposedly opened, and request documentation. I may just wait until I get my third credit report so I can see what's on it first. If it turns out this isn't on any of the three, someone's getting fraud charges brought against them.
In other interesting credit-related news, I've requested copies of my reports from the three major reporting agencies. Equifax and Experian were able to give them to me online... but TransUnion not only won't give it to me online, I had to request it by mail, and have now received a letter saying I have to send them proof of my identification before they'll send me a copy of my report. I know that this is unusual because Michael just pulled his reports a month or so ago with no problems at all. Can't wait to receive this one and find out just what the fuck is going on.
Also need to find a good credit lawyer. Along with this crap, the company I financed my old car through has put the same loan on my report three times under three different account numbers, written off each time. I suspect there's going to be a lot of fun things for a lawyer to do with that one.
And people wonder why I long for a normal life. Le sigh.
What makes you think they won't still try? When I called the various collection agencies and alerted them to my identity theft, know what the general response was?
"That's too bad...but we're still going to try and make you pay the money"
I'm not sure what exactly the problem is, but I have some links awhile ago about federal credit laws and what consumers can do to protect themselves.
David A. Szwak
401 Market Street
Suite 240
Shreveport, Louisiana 71101-3664
Phone: (318) 424-1400
He's the closest "top gun" type credit lawyer to you. There's also Len Bennett in Virginia and Edelman, Combs, and Latturner in Illinois. All the others are on the west coast.
(Anonymous)
David Szwak