advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
SprinkL3
Account Suspended
SprinkL3 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2021
Location: DELETED
Posts: 2,752 (SuperPoster!)
2 yr Member
10.9k hugs
given
Attention Nov 29, 2021 at 12:03 AM
  #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.
SprinkL3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
*Beth*, Buffy01, convalescence, downandlonely, mote.of.soul, Skeezyks, ThunderGoddess
 
Thanks for this!
Buffy01

advertisement
splitimage
Moderator
Community Support Team
 
splitimage's Avatar
splitimage has no updates.
 
Member Since: Mar 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 11,250
15 yr Member
73 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 29, 2021 at 09:59 AM
  #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

__________________


"I danced in the morning when the world was begun. I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun". From my favourite hymn.

"If you see the wonder in a fairy tale, you can take the future even if you fail." Abba

Identity Theft Trauma
splitimage is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
downandlonely, Skeezyks, SprinkL3
 
Thanks for this!
SprinkL3
SprinkL3
Account Suspended
SprinkL3 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2021
Location: DELETED
Posts: 2,752 (SuperPoster!)
2 yr Member
10.9k hugs
given
Default Nov 29, 2021 at 01:35 PM
  #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.
SprinkL3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
downandlonely, Skeezyks
Aviza
Magnate
 
Aviza's Avatar
Aviza Calm
 
Member Since: Jan 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,456
10 yr Member
86 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 29, 2021 at 06:55 PM
  #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.
Aviza is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
downandlonely, SprinkL3
 
Thanks for this!
SprinkL3
downandlonely
Legendary
 
downandlonely's Avatar
downandlonely has no updates.
 
Member Since: Mar 2018
Location: United States
Posts: 10,760 (SuperPoster!)
5 yr Member
10.6k hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 29, 2021 at 07:02 PM
  #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.
downandlonely is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
SprinkL3
 
Thanks for this!
SprinkL3
Buffy01
Wise Elder
 
Buffy01's Avatar
Buffy01 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 9,461 (SuperPoster!)
5 yr Member
9,664 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 29, 2021 at 08:50 PM
  #6
Quote:
Originally Posted by SprinkL3 View Post
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.
I hear you a few online colleges has stolen my identity and took out loans in my name that I didn’t know about and illegally enrolled me in classes when I was not accepted

__________________
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
Buffy01 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
SprinkL3
SprinkL3
Account Suspended
SprinkL3 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2021
Location: DELETED
Posts: 2,752 (SuperPoster!)
2 yr Member
10.9k hugs
given
Heart Nov 30, 2021 at 10:03 AM
  #7
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aviza View Post
Someone used my social security to work. I'm on disability. I reported it and filed a police report.
@Aviza - so sorry that happened to you! It makes it tough when they do that because of all the hassles having to deal with the IRS, local tax places, and then, if you request approval for government programs like Medicaid or student loans, then you might be disqualified. It's a pain dealing with these people!

I'm glad you took action!
SprinkL3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
SprinkL3
Account Suspended
SprinkL3 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2021
Location: DELETED
Posts: 2,752 (SuperPoster!)
2 yr Member
10.9k hugs
given
Heart Nov 30, 2021 at 10:04 AM
  #8
Quote:
Originally Posted by downandlonely View Post
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.
The extra security is cool, but sorry that happened to you, too (even if it was just an accident; it's still a pain and worth reporting).

@downandlonely
SprinkL3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
SprinkL3
Account Suspended
SprinkL3 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2021
Location: DELETED
Posts: 2,752 (SuperPoster!)
2 yr Member
10.9k hugs
given
Heart Nov 30, 2021 at 10:07 AM
  #9
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buffy01 View Post
I hear you a few online colleges has stolen my identity and took out loans in my name that I didn’t know about and illegally enrolled me in classes when I was not accepted
Ouch! Those are one of the toughest to get out of! I hope it all got cleared up. @Buffy01
SprinkL3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Buffy01
 
Thanks for this!
Buffy01
Buffy01
Wise Elder
 
Buffy01's Avatar
Buffy01 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 9,461 (SuperPoster!)
5 yr Member
9,664 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 30, 2021 at 08:36 PM
  #10
Quote:
Originally Posted by SprinkL3 View Post
Ouch! Those are one of the toughest to get out of! I hope it all got cleared up. @Buffy01 :hug:
No I’m still trying to clear up my name.

__________________
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
Buffy01 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
SprinkL3
SprinkL3
Account Suspended
SprinkL3 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2021
Location: DELETED
Posts: 2,752 (SuperPoster!)
2 yr Member
10.9k hugs
given
Heart Dec 01, 2021 at 07:46 AM
  #11
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buffy01 View Post
No I’m still trying to clear up my name.
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.
SprinkL3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Buffy01
 
Thanks for this!
Buffy01
Buffy01
Wise Elder
 
Buffy01's Avatar
Buffy01 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 9,461 (SuperPoster!)
5 yr Member
9,664 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 01, 2021 at 09:45 PM
  #12
Quote:
Originally Posted by SprinkL3 View Post
:sadhug: 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.
My identity was stole over 20 year’s ago and I just found out in 2018.

__________________
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
Buffy01 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
SprinkL3
SprinkL3
Account Suspended
SprinkL3 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2021
Location: DELETED
Posts: 2,752 (SuperPoster!)
2 yr Member
10.9k hugs
given
Heart Dec 01, 2021 at 10:04 PM
  #13
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buffy01 View Post
My identity was stole over 20 year’s ago and I just found out in 2018.
Oh wow. Well, if someone earned a degree by fraudulently stealing your identity, hopefully they will arrest the person (if it's not past the statute of limitations) and also rescind their degree.

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. That sounds like a nightmare!
SprinkL3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
*Beth*
catches the flowers
*Beth* is practicing healthy breathing for brain, mind, body, spirit.
 
Member Since: Jul 2019
Location: Downtown Vibes, California
Posts: 15,701 (SuperPoster!)
3 yr Member
23.7k hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 03, 2021 at 02:44 PM
  #14
Scamming and identity theft is WAY out of control. It's disgusting.

__________________




*Beth* is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
SprinkL3
 
Thanks for this!
SprinkL3
SprinkL3
Account Suspended
SprinkL3 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2021
Location: DELETED
Posts: 2,752 (SuperPoster!)
2 yr Member
10.9k hugs
given
Heart Dec 03, 2021 at 10:42 PM
  #15


To all of us who had or have experienced identity theft - ((((safe hugs))))

SprinkL3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:09 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.



 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.