.....Of Identity theft! Ironically I am currently writing up a multiple piece blog about Identity Theft. I had a past client call me last night (He happens to be a friend of the family) He wants to refinance one of his properties to consolidate some debt.
Note: This is the 2nd case I've whitnessed in the last 12 months.
Unfortunately he is divorced and currently in legal battles with his ex wife and it has been draining his money. He is a fantastic father and I really feel bad for his situation. During our conversation he mentions that his ex wife opened up a credit card using his social security number and he's having trouble getting it shut down.
Well I call him back this morning after I get a chance to pull his credit, naturally, his credit scores have taken a terrible fall and he is unable to secure a loan to consolidate those bills. I went over his report with him and it seems that she has been abusing his credit.
We promptly filed an Identity Theft complaint as well as put a credit freeze on his credit. Unfortunately the damage is done and we can only try to slow the bleeding at this point. I informed him to get the paperwork from the credit union in regards to the credit card that was opened. To sum it up if he hasn't signed any papers we'll be consulting his attorney and he'll file legal actions against his ex wife (on a number of FELONIES at this point) as well as the institutions that have allowed her to use his social to open these accounts. 
Accounts that have been opened:
I really feel bad for this person, I suppose even more since he is a friend of the family, but he takes it with a very high chin and I'm impressed. Needless to say this is just ANOTHER reason why you should monitor your credit on a regular basis.
Please stay tuned for my blog about Indenity theft with some information on what to do if you've become a victim, how to prevent it, disputing inaccurate information on your credit and more.
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I'm a Real Estate Broker for Oregon Real Estate Properties in the Eugene/Springfield Oregon area. I specialize in the entire Lane County are of Oregon.
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I look forward to your identity theft blog, and I hope that if this persons x-wife, if she really did obtain the credit without his knowlege, gets whats coming.
Rick, this is the first time that I have heard of an ex-spouse being this blatant about committing fraud. Talk about being spiteful ......WOW.
I too hope she gets it for the credit card! With the medical bills though, is it for their children, did he have the insurance under his name? That might be harder to claim if that is the case because he was the insured. I know when I fill out the paperwork at the Dr's office that is who they want down on the paper, the person that is insured or should I say has the actual job....Ha Ha!
good luck!
Maria
Unless and until we make identify theft a crime punishable by prison time, this will continue and worsen every year. The credit card companies are not going after these people. I'm thinking they have some kind of insurance for this type of crime, and perhaps they're still getting their money, so who cares.
Except the poor shlub who's stuck with cleaning up the mess with his good name. Granted, we rarely get stuck with the bill either, but this is insane than they're not cracking down on this. I have my picture on my American Express card, but what does that do for Internet purchases? Nothing.
Good post Rick - I will look for your Id Theft Blog. This is an issue that is going to continue to grow as ecommerce and wireless access continue to take off.
My but she must have been mad at him, but if she did that then she was wrong.
Roy,
Thanks, I'm glad you're looking forward to it. I'm writing it up over the next couple days! Check back for it.
George,
I really haven't heard much about it either but it is a major bummer.
Maria,
It wasn't for their children. It was for the child she is carrying now and it isn't his!
Patsy,
Well I believe it is a felony and punishable by prison time but with all of the over crowding already in place I don't see them making room for these people so we're kind of stuck in a way.
Will,
Thanks! it definitely is an ongoing problem that needs some attention.
Vicki,
yes she apparently was pretty upset with him...haha...
Is identity theft not punishable by prison time? If not, then I agree it should be.
Rick - after dealing with this first hand from an EX - I can tell you it is almost harder than if it was a stranger - and what is really difficult is as a spouse you generally know all the information you need - too bad they do not always pay the same price for STEALING
Brandon,
It is punishable by prison time but who do you prefer be in prison? The armed robber or the identity thief? It is a tough call and with the limited space they seem to be having these people get off with less of a punishment. I did have a client that testified against a supposed friend of hers when she opened a credit line in her name. She was facing up to 5 years in prison if convicted. I'm not sure what happened, I'll have to follow up.
Thesa,
I'm sorry you had to deal with it, that is a bummer. I figured it would be tougher for him since she was his spouse but hopefully he can get SOMETHING done. The credit freeze will at least stop anything else from happening since you can't open any credit without the pin number they assign you. I just can't believe the nerve of some people.
Pre-paid legal has a great identity theft protection plan. Well worth it. You have to pay $6 per month extra, but it carries with it huge piece of mind!
Rich,
I've never thought about that...I might check into it just to help my clients with the identity theft protection..
Rick, it is ironic that you were already writing posts on credit fraud when you found out about your friend. It sounds like a pretty bad situation to be in. I think that she should be punished harshly for what she did if it is proved that she stole his identity. That is horrible. I hope everything works out for him.
After working for a credit card company for three years, you would be amazed how many times this happens. It is very hard to prove, usually they are using PO boxes and not home addresses. Let's hope she isn't so smart!
Bridget,
I thought that was ironic as well...I hope she gets in trouble for what she's been doing but for some reason I have my doubts...
Todd,
I honestly don't think she is very smart...haha...she is blatantly doing it and I think she is okay because they were married and there is nothing he can do about it. She's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed.
Here is a link that might help!
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17-it.htm
Good luck. If your client need to have any statements notarized, would you kindly refer them to www.needanotary.net to find a local neighborhood notary public? As they could be required to prepare certain affidavits to restore the damage.
Here is some info of you to chew on:
Choicepoint has recently announced that some customer’s personal information was compromise by imposters who identified themselves as legitimate operators.
Choicepoint was a company that spun out of the data revolution. It is a very large data aggregator which, collects data from from everything form credit card purchases to toll road trackers. In a short seven years, this company had collect records on almost every living adult in the US. It is a large data compiler, which also buys data from as well as collects info that is sold to governments, FBI, major corporations, credit bureaus, insurance companies and others for credit cards, employment and many other purposes.
When word came out about this it was characterized as a major national security issue. It is very had to get a hold Choicepoint and it has been suspected for some time that there is no accountability as to what this company does with information it collects.
Research this for yourself and see if you can find info as it is expected that 10 million records were affected. The Federal Trade Commission is supposed to be investigation this breach of security.
Hi Rick-
This is so true ! ! I have written multiple articles about identity theft and ways to protect yourself. It is such an important issue and one that all Realtors should be aware of as well. Great post : )