vpFREE2 Forums

ID Theft

#1

Target called me about an attempt to open a fraudulent account. The attempt
was done online from a 702 (Clark County) area code. I also received a report
from an ID Theft Protection service which correlates with the data that
Target gave me.

The info that Target asked me corresponded to what you would give for a W2G
& I told them that. Since I had the time period & knew that I had only
received 2 W2Gs in the last few months it was easy to narrow it down to 2 casinos.

I have taken the steps of notifying the proper agencies & posting fraud
alerts wherever I can (Social Security isn't one of those places).

What's frustrating is that I have the possible suspects & time frame but no
no agency seems to want it. It feels just like when my car was stolen in Las
Vegas last year. (I later learned that casino security will assist in
contacting the police & writing an internal report but that they will not review the
tapes to help catch the thief.)

Bottom line: except for W2Gs & other REQUIRED uses, avoid giving out your
personal information & challenge them when asked for it. They will often back
down & say it isn't necessary. Other steps to take: avoid opening lines of
credit (large lines identify you as a prime target) & don't be ostentatious or
brag about your wins with people who may have access to your personal
information.

This is the first time ID theft has ever happened to me but in Las Vegas
I've had a lot of firsts: first time ever robbed (didn't know it at the time),
first time had a car stolen, first time pick pocketed (my wife) & can mention
a few other firsts but you get the general direction. BTW we've never had a
2nd anywhere else (knock on faux wood).

Anyway, I fear these crimes will become more common as our economy slides
down the razor blade of life.

**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with
Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.
(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4&?NCID=aolfod00030000000002)

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#2

A few years ago I experienced I.D. theft. While this has become a
major problem >>> it is not always a crime & therefore not always on
the front burner for law enforcement. I am currently taking a course
to become a specialist in this field. I am now protected by the best
I.D.T. program available & can sign up others so they & their family
can be covered. Check out my website
www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/jcohen18.

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, TedChee@... wrote:

Target called me about an attempt to open a fraudulent account ...

#3

Ted,

Thanks for sharing. I would also like to warn everyone to beware of
ID Theft prevention scammers. No service can prevent ID Theft and
most of them are a rip off. You remember the LifeLock guy on TV
commercials giving out his SSN. He is being sued by his customers
and someone successfully used his SSN to get a payday loan.

Chris

Target called me about an attempt to open a fraudulent account.

The attempt

was done online from a 702 (Clark County) area code. I also

received a report

from an ID Theft Protection service which correlates with the data

that

Target gave me.

The info that Target asked me corresponded to what you would give

for a W2G

& I told them that. Since I had the time period & knew that I had

only

received 2 W2Gs in the last few months it was easy to narrow it

down to 2 casinos.

I have taken the steps of notifying the proper agencies & posting

fraud

alerts wherever I can (Social Security isn't one of those places).

What's frustrating is that I have the possible suspects & time

frame but no

no agency seems to want it. It feels just like when my car was

stolen in Las

Vegas last year. (I later learned that casino security will assist

in

contacting the police & writing an internal report but that they

will not review the

tapes to help catch the thief.)

Bottom line: except for W2Gs & other REQUIRED uses, avoid giving

out your

personal information & challenge them when asked for it. They will

often back

down & say it isn't necessary. Other steps to take: avoid opening

lines of

credit (large lines identify you as a prime target) & don't be

ostentatious or

brag about your wins with people who may have access to your

personal

information.

This is the first time ID theft has ever happened to me but in Las

Vegas

I've had a lot of firsts: first time ever robbed (didn't know it at

the time),

first time had a car stolen, first time pick pocketed (my wife) &

can mention

a few other firsts but you get the general direction. BTW we've

never had a

2nd anywhere else (knock on faux wood).

Anyway, I fear these crimes will become more common as our economy

slides

down the razor blade of life.

**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking

with

Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.
(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4&?

NCID=aolfod00030000000002)

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, TedChee@... wrote:

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]