Identity Theft - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

marsupial · 03-30-2007, 08:27 PM

My parents recently forwarded a piece of mail sent to me from a university that I applied to but never attended. Apparently they had a few desktops stolen that contained personal information on them and were warning individuals about the possibility of identity theft.

They recommended that I put a fraud alert on my credit file with the three credit reporting agencies. Has anyone done this before? We will be moving in a few months and with that comes numerous credit checks from landlords, power companies, etc. Could having a fraud alert cause some problems there?

Also, why in the heck would a university I never attended keep my information on file for more than 12 years? What is that about?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

MikeWaters · 03-30-2007, 08:29 PM

serves you right for applying to a school besides BYU.

marsupial · 03-30-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

serves you right for applying to a school besides BYU.

Rest assured. I never applied to the U.

MikeWaters · 03-30-2007, 08:33 PM

Yes, it could cause problems I think. They have to jump thru an extra hoop to do a credit check. I put a fraud alert on after I lost my driver's license in an office depot (left it on the xerox machine when making a copy of it). I think you just call one of the agencies.

Mormon Red Death · 03-30-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marsupial

Rest assured. I never applied to the U.

there's your first problem..

SteelBlue · 03-30-2007, 08:48 PM

You just call the agencies and it's all done via an automatic menu. The phone numbers are available online. IIRC the names are equifax, experian, and I can't remember the 3rd (Transunion?).

I did it when my wallet was stolen. Basically, anytime somebody tries to take out a loan using your name the institution offering the loan has to call you at your home phone to make sure it is really you. Well worth doing imo.

Equifax 1-800-685-1111
TransUnion - 800-916-8800
Experian - 888-397-3742

cougjunkie · 03-30-2007, 09:20 PM

TJmaxx just had 45 million credit card numbers stolen.

ute4ever · 03-31-2007, 12:03 AM

About 10 years ago I had to notify the three companies about fraud. They each put a 7-year alert on my record. I remember it being a real pain trying to open a checking account, and apply for a cell phone. (This was back when cell phones were not as common and procedural as today). The creditors were estopped from verifying my credit history.

Solon · 03-31-2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ute4ever

About 10 years ago I had to notify the three companies about fraud. They each put a 7-year alert on my record. I remember it being a real pain trying to open a checking account, and apply for a cell phone. (This was back when cell phones were not as common and procedural as today). The creditors were estopped from verifying my credit history.

I had to do this too about 1.5 years ago, but it was pretty easy. On the bright side, you probably won't get a lot of junk mail credit card offers. I know that part of the procedure was prohibiting unsolicited credit offers for a temporary amount of time.

BarbaraGordon · 03-31-2007, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solon

On the bright side, you probably won't get a lot of junk mail credit card offers. I know that part of the procedure was prohibiting unsolicited credit offers for a temporary amount of time.

That's worth it right there.

03-30-2007, 08:27 PM	#1
marsupial Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I... Isn't it so fun to spell? Posts: 1,701	Identity Theft My parents recently forwarded a piece of mail sent to me from a university that I applied to but never attended. Apparently they had a few desktops stolen that contained personal information on them and were warning individuals about the possibility of identity theft. They recommended that I put a fraud alert on my credit file with the three credit reporting agencies. Has anyone done this before? We will be moving in a few months and with that comes numerous credit checks from landlords, power companies, etc. Could having a fraud alert cause some problems there? Also, why in the heck would a university I never attended keep my information on file for more than 12 years? What is that about? Thanks for any help you can offer. __________________ "Mormon men are inherently sexy..." -Archaea

03-30-2007, 08:48 PM	#6
SteelBlue Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Norcal Posts: 5,821	You just call the agencies and it's all done via an automatic menu. The phone numbers are available online. IIRC the names are equifax, experian, and I can't remember the 3rd (Transunion?). I did it when my wallet was stolen. Basically, anytime somebody tries to take out a loan using your name the institution offering the loan has to call you at your home phone to make sure it is really you. Well worth doing imo. Equifax 1-800-685-1111 TransUnion - 800-916-8800 Experian - 888-397-3742 Last edited by SteelBlue; 03-30-2007 at 08:50 PM. Reason: Found numbers

03-30-2007, 09:20 PM	#7
cougjunkie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 5,741	TJmaxx just had 45 million credit card numbers stolen. __________________ LINCECUM!

03-30-2007, 08:29 PM	#2
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	serves you right for applying to a school besides BYU.

03-30-2007, 08:33 PM	#4
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	Yes, it could cause problems I think. They have to jump thru an extra hoop to do a credit check. I put a fraud alert on after I lost my driver's license in an office depot (left it on the xerox machine when making a copy of it). I think you just call one of the agencies.

03-31-2007, 12:03 AM	#8
ute4ever I must not tell lies Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,103	About 10 years ago I had to notify the three companies about fraud. They each put a 7-year alert on my record. I remember it being a real pain trying to open a checking account, and apply for a cell phone. (This was back when cell phones were not as common and procedural as today). The creditors were estopped from verifying my credit history.