Received notice in the mail yesterday from credit agency attempting to collect on a debt that is 254 days past due. On a credit card in my name. A credit card that have never used, nor even applied for.
Am in possession of ONE credit card, and have been for five years. In five years have had two late payments, each of thirty days. Am neurotic when it comes to paying bills, and each previously mentioned late payment was in less-neurotic college days when things like money and credit were just silly words associated with keeping yours truly in the latest Gap Capris and Steve Madden slides. But 254 days late? Unthinkable.
Tried explaining this to Very Ditzy Collections Agent from certain Polygamy-Prone Western State, who insisted that was my name on delinquent account. All fine and dandy, but is not my card.
VDCA: I have your University of Polygamy-Prone Western State on file.
H: That's great. But I didn't GO to that school. That isn't me.
VDCA: Can I have your social security number again?
H: Sure. It's...
VDCA: That's the number on the account.
H: What?! That's impossible! I never...
VDCA: Oh, looks like there are two social security numbers associated with this account. Have you been using two SSNs??
H: Listen, either that or someone is using mine. Are you picking up on the sarcasm, you dumb hick?
VDCA: I will have to do some more research on this. In the meantime, if you want to make a payment over the phone...
H: I am not going to make a payment on a card that isn't mine! None of the addresses listed in that file are mine, except the current one. And that is clearly a mistake. I didn't go to the college from which you have an ID on file. I will not be held responsible for this.
Oh dear Lord. Called financially-experienced UMF for advice on newest crisis only to be told, "My, you've had a very interesting year."
Would not be so upset by this, but am in midst of planning new car acquisition. Am determined to have keys to brand new, shiny piece of driving delight in greedy little hands by birthday celebration. At this rate, will be lucky to right credit woes and obtain new toy by mid forties.
Fuck, fuck, fuckety fuck.
***update***
After sending copy of drivers license to creditors, have discovered, is picture of yours truly on file with credit card company. And my signature. Holy shit.
Bureaucracy is going to be the ruin of this country. One can make a case that it has already happened.
Posted by: Mike at March 18, 2003 10:12 AMOh, I absolutely hate, loathe and despise credit card companies. Was informed last year that I held a credit card issued from southernish/easternish Texas cult-like university which I never attended. Was not happy about this fact. Thankfully, it didn't take a terribly long time to correct the issue.
Posted by: windowsill wendy at March 18, 2003 10:29 AMI suggest a Miata. And all this will blow over. Just last month I got a letter from the state of Virginia saying they'd revoke my licence if I didn't pay the $2500 for the guardrail that my brother-in-law's insurace should have paid for. How this relates...I have totally forgotten.
Posted by: Postwood at March 18, 2003 10:46 AMCredit cards (especially when someone uses your name to use them) are evil!
I'm counting down the days until I'm debt- and plastic-free!
Hope getting a Fishmobile works out for you. Keep us car-minded fools updated on your purchase. And good luck with the Utah Credit Mafia.
Posted by: Texas T-bone at March 18, 2003 11:14 AMBest of luck on your car purchase. Take my advice and visit some banks/credit unions before going to a dealership for financing.
I recently ran into a credit card fraud experience and was surprised at how much information someone could get of mine (drivers license #, birthdate, etc). I contacted the card company immediately. Dealing with those people can be very frustrating. Especially in a Polygamy-Prone Western State.
Posted by: Indigo Steve at March 18, 2003 11:31 AMMay I take a moment to plug the Hyundai. Although historically totally unhip and so not punk rock, is actually a very good little car that guzzles less gas and gives you the best warranty in the business. Think how hip it would be to buy a car that's unhip. Yeah. [End plug.]
Posted by: michybrit at March 18, 2003 12:25 PMI apologetically confess that for a moment I considered that it was sas or UMF who had defrauded you. But now I remember you're from the South, not the West.
It would appear that all Utahns are of clean heart. In fact, I bet it's that bitch Elizabeth Smart. SHE probably stole your identity. (I mean what the heck - someone took hers away, she's probably just trying to get even.)
Posted by: Michael at March 18, 2003 12:27 PMare NOT. Are NOT! Are NOT! Are NOT!
Posted by: Michael at March 18, 2003 12:28 PMLooks like its related to when your credit cards & such were stolen several months back (?) I hope it gets fixed. *hugs*
Posted by: Laura at March 18, 2003 03:46 PMOn the slightly positive side, your having only the one credit card for the past five years is probably going to make this a lot easier to sort out. Unlike me, who will occasionally sign up for a new card in exchange for a t-shirt or a shiny rock.
Posted by: Ken Goldstein at March 18, 2003 06:00 PMpeople don't start sentences with "My, ..." enough anymore.
Posted by: the bricklayer at March 18, 2003 06:50 PMAfter going through the process of buying a home last month, I can sympathize... I had ridiculous things on my credit report that were either never mine, or were paid off, as much as 10 years ago. And every, single creditor I talked to was an ass. Even when I had an outstanding debt I was willing to pay, one company told me I didn't have an account with them., Yet they reported me to Equifax. And refused to make any effort to clear up the problem. And there's not enough support for the consumer to get that stuff removed. It's Economic McCarthyism. I hope the company screwing with you burns to the ground.
oh dear. oh dear.
i love you miss.
How awful! Surely they can trace these purchases... if I didn't have to pay for charges made by a thief on my credit card, I can't see how you would have to pay charges on a card that isn't even yours. It just sucks that it might be there on your credit history if you try to buy a car. Sorry, fish. =(
Posted by: Bob at March 18, 2003 11:26 PMToyz?...now you're on to good topics (yeah, yeah AFZ..) A 1997 McLaren F1 GT Gotta love a car that costs 1.5 mil...of course if you have 1.5 mil to spend, credit is the least of your worries!
Who needs a bicycle! oh, wait, I am a bicycle...
Posted by: passnhuck at March 19, 2003 12:48 AMMy unintentional strategy has been to destroy my credit myself, thereby making it unattractive and useless to theives. HA HA HA HA HA HA HAA!
Posted by: Michael at March 19, 2003 07:58 AMIt works for me!
Posted by: Ric at March 19, 2003 08:30 AMGot a bill yesterday (Tuesday) from a credit card we'd canceled about a year ago, for a charge from a gym we'd canceled 6 months ago.
It was our card (since chopped into tiny pieces), but we have no idea how the gym got that card number. We had paid our first year in full and had no reason to give them a number.
I think cash is going to be the new credit card.
Posted by: Texas T-bone at March 19, 2003 09:38 AMI had this happen to me. It's hellish. It took me close to two years to clear it up. It was particularly bad because the first bank actually sold the fraudulant account to another bank. First thing is to go check your credit reports asap for any other cards that might have been opened - it's rarely just one. Next report it to the police. This proves to the credit card company that you are serious. Keep records of conversations and names of every single person you talk to. Get a file going now with every single piece of paper you have on the subject. Always make the credit card companies send you things in writing as well. Also, put a note on your credit report about the fraud. It asks that anyone contact you directly before issuing any new credit accounts. Good luck!
Posted by: anne_nyc at March 20, 2003 02:06 PMHow about when you know who the thief is that got a fraudulent credit card, and after he did it twice already to his own brother, it is just discovered he also did it to his own elderly ill mother....the thief is now in another state, hoping police will get him.....walked easy after doing it to his brother, the thief ran and paid off account ($4500 worth!), got a $500 fine and a slap on the wrist, that was in PA...this one is in NJ, hope it goes better, more serious charges....It's equated to a disorderly persons charge, that's why it's so inviting to these evil people.
Posted by: chrisstar at August 31, 2003 03:46 AM