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Account Suspended
Member Since Oct 2021
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#1
I experienced Identity Theft trauma this Black Friday weekend.
Someone used my phone number to make a purchase, and then I received an unwanted text about it. I reported the incident to the FTC and BBB, after having spoken to the vendors for which the transaction took place. Two vendors assured me that the order was cancelled, but the third vendor blamed me for not being understanding about it possibly being someone else's old phone number that they mistakenly used. Still, it was within my rights to report it as possible fraud, and to report this incident to the BBB for resolution to cancel that order connected with my phone number and instead have the customer (if it is a real customer) place a new one with their own number. I also contacted my cell phone carrier to make sure I wasn't being charged anything, and to inform them of what went on. I also had to figure out how to delete and reinstall the app that was supposed to be blocking these spam calls, since it was included with my plan all along. The former reps months ago told me that I needed to pay an extra fee, which I knew wasn't right, so I thought I could just deal with the new spam calls. But I couldn't. And there's no way to block spam texts through their app, and the FTC only requires that you place a fraud report with spam texts, since their Do-Not-Call reports on unwanted calls only work for robocalls and unwanted phone calls, but not unwanted texts. It took me all of 6 hours to complete these tasks over the holiday weekend. I hate Black Friday. I hate being retraumatized, since I had my identity stolen as well as money stolen from me in the past. Being a veteran - esp. a disabled veteran - puts me at risk because we're easy targets for data theft and breaches. I got pissed because it ruined my weekend, exacerbated my already pandemic fatigue and pandemic stress and pandemic traumas, and worsened my PTSD and DID. Once I pay off my cell phone, I plan to get it unlocked so that I could hopefully use it as a backup when I switch carriers. I had better luck with a different carrier in the past. I also will switch phone brands, too. I'm so sick of being the victim of repeat and polyvictim identity theft. |
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*Beth*, Buffy01, convalescence, downandlonely, mote.of.soul, Skeezyks, ThunderGoddess
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Buffy01
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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#2
I hear you. I've had my ID stolen 3 times.
The first time was the most serious. My wallet was stolen and it had all my ID and credit cards in it. The thieves opened a phone and cable account in my name I only found out about it a year later when collections agencies started calling me for payment. It took me about 6 months all told to get it sorted out. The second time was minor. My bank flagged an attempt to open a credit card account and called me. I said no not me. So then I had to change all my passwords which was a pain in the butt. The third time was weird. Someone got a hold of my phone number and switched carriers, and changed the number on me. So my phone didn't work at all. I will say Virgin was great in helping me sort it out. But it's definitely a pain. splitimage |
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downandlonely, Skeezyks, SprinkL3
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SprinkL3
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#3
@splitimage - So sorry you went through that too - and three times! In the past, mine were both bank- and medical-related. But this time, it affected my phone. I really am tired of these criminals.
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downandlonely, Skeezyks
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Magnate
Member Since Jan 2013
Location: Midwest
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#4
Someone used my social security to work. I'm on disability. I reported it and filed a police report.
__________________ Son: 14, 12/15/2009 R.I.P. Daughter: 20 Diagnosis: Bipolar with Psychosis. Latuda 100 mgs. |
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downandlonely, SprinkL3
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SprinkL3
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Legendary
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Location: United States
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#5
One year, someone filed their taxes using my social security number. But I think it was an accident and their number was just close to mine. Still, the IRS sends me an extra password every year for me to include on my tax return as extra security.
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SprinkL3
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SprinkL3
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#6
Quote:
__________________ Everyone can do magic - Cassie Nightgale the good witch. Dear Diary today will be different today I can smile it will be genuine because today is the day I get to live. This life will be good and beautiful, but not without heartbreak. In death come peace. But pain is the cost of living. Like love, it's how we know we're alive. And life goes on. That my life weird, messy, complicated, sad, wonderful, amazing, and above all epic and I owe all to Stephen. - Eleanor Gilbert Vampire Diaries |
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SprinkL3
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#7
Quote:
I'm glad you took action! |
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Account Suspended
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#8
Quote:
@downandlonely |
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Account Suspended
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#9
Quote:
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Buffy01
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Buffy01
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#10
Quote:
__________________ Everyone can do magic - Cassie Nightgale the good witch. Dear Diary today will be different today I can smile it will be genuine because today is the day I get to live. This life will be good and beautiful, but not without heartbreak. In death come peace. But pain is the cost of living. Like love, it's how we know we're alive. And life goes on. That my life weird, messy, complicated, sad, wonderful, amazing, and above all epic and I owe all to Stephen. - Eleanor Gilbert Vampire Diaries |
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SprinkL3
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#11
I'm so sorry @Buffy01 - that's horrible. I hope you receive the justice you deserve, and I hope that your name and financials and all that get cleared up - esp. with the college system, financial aid system, etc.
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Buffy01
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Buffy01
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#12
Quote:
__________________ Everyone can do magic - Cassie Nightgale the good witch. Dear Diary today will be different today I can smile it will be genuine because today is the day I get to live. This life will be good and beautiful, but not without heartbreak. In death come peace. But pain is the cost of living. Like love, it's how we know we're alive. And life goes on. That my life weird, messy, complicated, sad, wonderful, amazing, and above all epic and I owe all to Stephen. - Eleanor Gilbert Vampire Diaries |
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SprinkL3
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#13
Quote:
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. That sounds like a nightmare! |
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catches the flowers
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#14
Scamming and identity theft is WAY out of control. It's disgusting.
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SprinkL3
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SprinkL3
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Account Suspended
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#15
To all of us who had or have experienced identity theft - ((((safe hugs)))) |
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