Credit / Identity Question

[Cuckoo]

I have a question for those in the know about credit and the like.

I've been receiving calls the past few weeks from several collection services. They are asking questions about several different credit card accounts, all of which I do not have nor have ever had. My wife answered the call on one and the man told her it was possible "she just didn't know" me and that I probably had a "completely different life" or something to that effect.

Anyway, I've told them many times that I do not have these past due accounts, and I've checked my credit with all three reporting companies. None of the accounts they are mentioning are on there.

However, these collections companies keep calling and although they won't tell me much, they say that these accounts are under the same name, with the same spouse's name and in the same city.

Needless to say, I'm starting to get worried. Now, the birth date they have on file is different from mine, and I'm assuming so is the SS# or this would be on my credit report.

I'm wondering first whether I'm worrying for nothing, that these collection companies are grasping and trying to track someone that happens to have the same name as me. Or do I need to notify some agency about this?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[st.cronin]

Something like this happened to me not long ago. I called the DAs office where the calls were coming from (Florida, in my case). They had some sort of special phone # for this sort of thing. I have no idea what they did, but the calls stopped.

[stevew]

Seems like a type of identity fraud where they get you to confirm your SSN and other things, and then use your info. It's probably not too hard for them to get your name, and possibly your wife's from the phone book.

[gottimd]

Sounds like scammers trying to fish for your information. Somehow they are trying get you to tell them account numbers/pins/SSN/Addresses.

Kind of like those spam emails people get saying "Fraud detected" please enter your account # and pin, and the url that it is connected to is completely false, but the webpage graphics are similar to that bank/credit cards actual site.

I would spend the $25-$50 and get one of those Personal Credit Reports (aka Equifax) and see how your credit actually looks.

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by stevew

Seems like a type of identity fraud where they get you to confirm your SSN and other things, and then use your info. It's probably not too hard for them to get your name, and possibly your wife's from the phone book.

Yeah, that was my first thought. But just from some quick searches, they appear to be legitimate collection companies.

One of them is from Buffalo and the other from Tampa, I think.

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by gottimd

I would spend the $25-$50 and get one of those Personal Credit Reports (aka Equifax) and see how your credit actually looks.

Good to know you don't read any closer over here than in NAFL, my good man.

I checked my credit from all three companies and all looks good.

[spleen1015]

If you don't see it on your credit report, I would say you're okay.

[gottimd]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo

Good to know you don't read any closer over here than in NAFL, my good man.

I checked my credit from all three companies and all looks good.

I did, I just thought you meant you actually called the companies that they said they were working for to double check. Like if they said something about a credit card balance, you laughed at them and said "Thats just poppycock!" and then you thought about it and called that company a few hours later to confirm.

[gottimd]

Dola,

readings for girls and scaliwags.

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by gottimd

I did, I just thought you meant you actually called the companies that they said they were working for to double check. Like if they said something about a credit card balance, you laughed at them and said "Thats just poppycock!" and then you thought about it and called that company a few hours later to confirm.

Ahh, gotcha. Okay, well I take back my mocking comment... for now!

[HomerSimpson]

Originally Posted by stevew

Seems like a type of identity fraud where they get you to confirm your SSN and other things, and then use your info. It's probably not too hard for them to get your name, and possibly your wife's from the phone book.

This would be my first guess. Have you just been a victim of identity theft?



Did they ask you for your SS#?
How do you know they have the wrong SS#?

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson

This would be my first guess. Have you just been a victim of identity theft?



Did they ask you for your SS#?
How do you know they have the wrong SS#?

Yes, they asked me for my SS# and birth date, and I wouldn't give them either. They then told me the date of birth they had on file, and I said that wasn't mine. They said they must have the wrong person.

Now, normally I'd just leave it at that except for the fact that it's now happened with two collection companies about more than one supposed account.

I don't know of course that it's a different SS#, just that nothing has posted on my credit report. It could be phishing, I suppose. But the fact that these companies appear to be legitimate based on an admittedly brief internet search and they were willing to leave messages on answering machines and voice mail with names and telephone numbers just makes me think it's not a scam on their part.

I figure it's probably no big deal and nothing will come of it; I just hear all the horror stories and am trying to figure out whether I should contact the DA or something just in case it's only the tip of some identity problem iceberg.