Someone applied for a credit card with my ss#

[Anonymous]

I received a letter about an application for a store credit card that I did not apply for. I called the store and cancelled the application. I went online and put an alert on my ss# with the three reporting agencies and II filed out an online alert with the FTC. Any other steps I should be taking to protect myself? TIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I received a letter about an application for a store credit card that I did not apply for. I called the store and cancelled the application. I went online and put an alert on my ss# with the three reporting agencies and II filed out an online alert with the FTC. Any other steps I should be taking to protect myself? TIA.

Did you read through the FTC's recommendations? They have step-by-step instructions,

Also, consider an ID monitoring service like Life Lock. They're not fail proof, but it is certainly helpful. (When I've opened new credit accounts, by the time I get home and log on to my computer, I've already been alerted that someone applied for credit in my name.)

[Anonymous]

Freeze your credit with the credit agencies.

[Anonymous]

https://www.credit.com/credit-reports/how-do-i-get-rid-of-fraudulent-accounts-opened-in-my-name/

There are some good tips here, but this is important:

Send a dispute letter to each of the credit reporting agencies informing them of the fraudulent accounts opened in your name. Request that the fraudulent accounts be removed from your credit file.

It is a good idea to send this letter by certified mail with a return receipt as well. Keep a copy of the letter and the receipt for your records.

In most instances, a credit reporting agency will investigate your complaint within 30 days.

Each credit report agency will forward information about the identity theft to the financial companies reporting the fraudulent accounts opened by the thief.

And once the financial company receives the notice from the credit reporting agency, it must investigate and report back to the credit reporting agency.

After an investigation is complete, a credit reporting agency must send you the results in writing. And you will be notified if the fraudulent accounts have been removed from your credit report.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Freeze your credit with the credit agencies.

+1 We've done this and it has proved very effective.

[Anonymous]

by default credit reports are NOT FROZEN, which is insane. How often are people getting new credit cards, new mortgages, new loans? Everyday ? I tell everyone that they should FREEZE their credit reports by default and unfreeze it as needed.

Once a credit report is frozen there is ZERO CHANCE of any fraudster trying to open credit cards or loans in your name and SSN.

ZERO.

[Anonymous]

yes freeze your credit. mine's been frozen for 4+ years.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should apply for a new SS#?

[Anonymous]

Any downside to freezing credit?