Identity theft. What a nightmare

[kenmbz]

Good advice Alan, most states have a fraud and an identity theft site or phone number.

 

[MoKelly]

Buddy of mine got his unemployment approval letter last week.
Problem is he has been retired for the last 5 years and did not file.
Apparently due to the mess our dear guv has the states unemployment in they are no longer verifying eligibility. He cant get any response from the unemployment system.
I told him to go to the county attorney and file a identity theft claim to protect himself when they do realize the error. Somebody is receiving the funds.

So, the state sent the unemployment approval letter to him but is sending the check to someone else?

MoKelly

 

[kenmbz]

Probably to direct deposit :-(

 

[MoKelly]

Probably to direct deposit :-(

Well, if true then I guess sending the letter is at least an attempt by the state to have some checks and balances.

You can’t open any account now without picture ID. If they wanted, I’m guessing the state could cause some trouble for the thief.

MoKelly

 

[Macinnis]

And this is why I don't fall for the "secure your account by giving us your phone number" crap. How does that secure my account? That is what the security questions and answers are for.

I assume this guy had to get or guess your pin or SS number to get the number ported? Or did he just buy a burner phone and activate it entering your number?

The last time I tried to get my number ported to a new phone I had to contact AT&T for the account number. Turns out it is nowhere on your billing and it's kept secret until you need it and ask.

you should reconsider this.

if anyone changes anything on your acct, they text you a 4 digit code Sent to your phone. If that code is not entered, the change is not processed.

its Extra security for your protection in an attempt to stop scams like this.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I would call the 3 main credit reporting bureaus and have them put a lock on your accts so that nothing new can be opened.

I want to put a freeze on my credit reports, but that means I have to provide my SSN. Now I'm a bit gunshy to do that.

 

[Macinnis]

I want to put a freeze on my credit reports, but that means I have to provide my SSN. Now I'm a bit gunshy to do that.

They already know your ssn...it’s just a security measure.

 

[JethroB]

I want to put a freeze on my credit reports, but that means I have to provide my SSN. Now I'm a bit gunshy to do that.

I froze my credit files 8-10 years ago. No regrets. Only had to unfreeze a couple times since. New cell phone provider and when I changed insurance companies. It cut down on the 'pre-approved' junk mail offers tremendously. If a company or someone does need to run your report just remember to ask in advance which bureau they will contact as you will need to temporarily unfreeze it for a day or two.

 

[Alan W.]

So, the state sent the unemployment approval letter to him but is sending the check to someone else?

MoKelly

This is what he assumes. The unemployment system is in such a disarray that contacting them is an impossibility.
When you filed for unemployment benefits previously the confirmation letter would show your work history in the previous quarters. This was missing from his letter. Since he is retired he has no work history in the required quarters.
That tells me the state is approving all filings without any verification in an attempt to clear a massive backlog of applicants.

 

[Frankenkubota]

I've been receiving voice mail from someone threatening to pursue legal action against me if I don't call. That would scare most people, it encouraged me to take the safety off.

I have yet to listen as I have this feature that displays the message as txt. I don't even know if it's a bot.

I made this comment publically a while ago and I will do it again now. If I ever receive a letter that requires my signature, in person, that means i'm getting sued and I WILL NOT go through that process again.

I'm pushin 70 and I've had my day in the sun, if it gets ugly, I will deal with the issue in other ways.

 

[3Ts]

I've been receiving voice mail from someone threatening to pursue legal action against me if I don't call.

This is very suspicious. I've received phone calls like this that have been left on the answering machine. HOWEVER, they've always stated who they were looking for, something like: (Person's name) you are delinquent and we will be turning this over to an attorney if you don't call to settle this. We can be reached at (xxx) xxx-xxxx. Turns out that person just made up a phone number that happened to be ours. Took years before the calls stopped.

There is a video on youtube of phone call where the caller is threatening the person with arrest if they don't provide bank account information to settle an irregularity. Funny thing is that the person they called was the police chief at the station.

 

[kenmbz]

I once got one of those "if you don;t pay bail your friend ****** will be locked up over night in jail" calls.
Only my "friend" was a very large corporation, wonder how they fit all those thousands of people in one jail cell??

 

[Complete Turf Care]

The activity seems to have subsided. I did spend a couple of hours on my computer 2 nights ago when they were attempting to get back into my AT&T account.

I have also put a 'credit freeze' at all 3 credit agencies. And I have given lots of info the the detective.

They may be reading my post here, for all I know. I did have some other positive news, that I won't share anywhere during the investigation.

 

[kenmbz]

Hope they snag these people for you!

 

[Tinhack]

A news item on the radio came on the other day. Seems the phone scams are increasing recently. Perhaps in time for the third round of EIP checks.

I got a call the other day from what was identified on my phone as "Account Services". The male voice wanted to verify my name and address and I suspect other details. When I asked who and why, the voice stated that can't be divulged until the end of the call. I said; "I don't answer personal questions over the phone" then hung up.

I checked the number showing on my phone and it's a well known Robo-call number. I reported it and blocked the number.

The number shown was: +11 833-717-0253 (Note the country code.)

 

[Macinnis]

H

Hope they snag these people for you!

they won’t...and it’s a shame. I am still eagerly awaiting a call back from the FBI as well as the postal inspector for my identity theft from about 15 years ago. Identify theft appears to be way down the list of things to tackle.

 

[Jstpssng]

I've been receiving voice mail from someone threatening to pursue legal action against me if I don't call. That would scare most people, it encouraged me to take the safety off.

I have yet to listen as I have this feature that displays the message as txt. I don't even know if it's a bot.

I made this comment publically a while ago and I will do it again now. If I ever receive a letter that requires my signature, in person, that means i'm getting sued and I WILL NOT go through that process again.

I'm pushin 70 and I've had my day in the sun, if it gets ugly, I will deal with the issue in other ways.

I've been getting similar messages for almost a year now; sometimes 4 on my answering machine every day. Until recently I only heard 1/2 of the message as it started as soon as my machine picked up. Lately though it's been looping several times so I finally know the company name... someone I've never heard of. It doesn't mention the name of the person they are looking for; doesn't give any account info or callback number; or even state what it's about. It merely states that it's "an important legal matter, but federal law doesn't allow them to divulge through a recorded message." A return call to the number on my caller ID went to an extended warrantee company, yet I have never bought one of those in my life. It's probably spoofed. Now that I know the company name I can file a complaint with the FTC.
I've gotten several calls from other businesses looking for people I've never heard of; at least they ask for someone by name. I've even called back telling them "wrong number" before, if it seemed like something important.

 

[mwayne]

But the number was a legitimate AT&T number. I had to call the same number later to get my number back. I thought I had screwed up too. But I found the same number on AT&T's web site, and in an email I got from the at&t team that was working on my case.

Thanks for the heads up on this new type of spoofing.

 

[MoKelly]

H

they won’t...and it’s a shame. I am still eagerly awaiting a call back from the FBI as well as the postal inspector for my identity theft from about 15 years ago. Identify theft appears to be way down the list of things to tackle.

True.

I had my IRS refund stole 5 years ago. Had to file reports all over God’s green earth.

Got my refund but zero feedback on any arrest or even investigation.

MoKelly

 

[Complete Turf Care]

It seems that I have gotten everything locked down.

Some of the steps I've taken include:
1. Had my computer scanned and cleaned at a local computer shop.
2. Deleted all information stored in my browser, and changed settings so that no information (passwords) are stored any more.
3. Put a 'credit freeze' on all of my information.
4. Added a virus protection plan to all my devices.
5. Added a VPN to all my devices.
6. Locked down all internet access to all bank and credit accounts.
7. Deleted and/or cancelled several accounts that I don't need any more.
8. I also sign out of everything when I exit. (even TractorByNet) And I turn off my computer when not in use. Before, I left the computer on 24/7.

All of the above are things I should have been doing anyway.

There are several other things I have done. Hopefully the worst of this is over. I also sent more info to the detective today.

What a nightmare....