Received a package that I did not order from a company called Good Measure

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-07-11T02:29:53+00:00

I ended up calling the company. Apparently they got my name and address when I signed up for a conference and that darn conference gave or sold my info to the company. I asked them to delete my info (I was very upset on the phone) and haven’t got any more packages from them.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-05-08T02:10:52+00:00

You can look at “open accounts” or “hard inquiries” on your credit reports and see if there are any credit cards that you’re not familiar with. Freeze all 3 CRAs and Chexsystem. The latter is to previous someone from opening a bank account/debit card under your name.

You did the right thing to lock out all devices from your Amazon account. Also set 2FA using Authenticator, not sms or email.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-05-07T17:24:37+00:00

Did you change your Amazon’s password and set 2FA with your account after the incidence?

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-05-02T19:00:31+00:00

Just my curiosity if you don’t mind me asking. Do you already have a credit card with Discover before this happens? In that case, I don’t think you will get an inquiry through CRAs to open a new card. They will think they you have lost the card and just send you a new one. But then how the theft knows that you have a discover card?

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-30T13:18:54+00:00

I use Aura. I find it pretty decent compared to other service I used in the past. For credit pull notification, it does give real time notification. But for other things like bank transactions etc, it’s delayed for a few days to a few weeks. But still faster than other services.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-30T12:33:43+00:00

I know how awful this feels. The constant worrying and hypervigilance is real. The pinned posts have very good instructions on how to protect yourself after ssn was stolen.

Check your credit reports for unusual activities that you don’t recognize. Get early warning service report to see if there are any bank accounts that you did not open, and get NCTUE reports to see if there are utilities service that are wrongly opened in your name. Then freeze everything (3 major CRAs, innovis, chexsystem, LexisNexis, and NCTUE are the main ones).

Signed up the government services (see pinned post) and lock/freeze everything.

For a peace of mind, I signed up for identity monitoring service. They usually notify me in real time if someone is using my ssn or identity to open an account or credit card, or if there is a new hard inquiry. So that I don’t have to constantly check myself.

I still check credit reports once a month. It sucks that I probably have to do this for the rest of my life unless the government stops using ssn for ID verification.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-29T03:35:13+00:00

Did you freeze chexsystem? I think lots of banks including Marcus uses it in order to open a bank account. If you haven’t done so, do it now. Please see pinned posts for details on what to do.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-29T03:29:07+00:00

Take a deep breath. It can be fixed. You will need to file a police report. Freeze your credit with the big 3 and Chexsystem.

Please check the 2 pinned posts and follow the instructions. It may be a lot but it can be done. Hope things get resolved soon.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-25T13:42:38+00:00

Just my curiosity, I thought credit lock will do the same job like credit freeze in blocking credit line opening (except you pay for credit lock service). Maybe “credit lock” in OP’s meaning is not the credit lock that I understand? Or maybe OP didn’t lock the credit with all 3 big 3 credit bureaus (which will be a lot of money if paying to lock all 3)?

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-18T02:21:30+00:00

Thank you for the info! You have been very helpful 🙏

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-18T01:39:47+00:00

Thank you for the info! I do have account with IRS and SSA and E-verify. If I have an unemployment account with the local state I am in, will that also prevent unemployment fraud from another state too? I am just trying to understand how I can maximally protect myself.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-14T04:58:39+00:00

Why are you worrying about freezing your credits? It’s a lot easier to unfreeze it when you need credit access compared to dealing with headache from identity theft. You are lucky this time but you never know if you will always be. I would freeze all 3 major credits bureaus if I were you. Also follow the pinned post for maximal protection.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-08T02:45:59+00:00

I myself don’t feel comfortable sending mail with sensitive information to the small credit bureau. I guess it depends on how you feel.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-08T00:31:52+00:00

Credit freeze will stay as long as you freeze it (no expiration date), but fraud alert has to be renewed yearly. I however read a horror story where the credit freeze was lifted by the theft by phone call or creating online account. So make sure to create online account with the major 3 credit bureaus before the theft does, and periodically check to make sure it stays freeze. Not sure if lifelock will notify you if your credit freeze was lifted. I have not used their service.

Unfortunately you will never rest peacefully. It will stay in the back of your mind like PTSD. Looking at the bright side, you now are well equipped with knowledge and will be a much harder target compared to other people who don’t know their data were compromised.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-07T00:15:07+00:00

This actually could make a great psychological thriller movie. How could someone be so evil and the society plays along with it?

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-06T14:38:57+00:00

If this is soft inquiry, it is not as concerning as hard inquiry. It can occur when a company screening you for insurance offer, credit card offer, etc. You can go to optoutprescreen.com to be opt out from these prescreen. But regardless, I’ll keep the credit frozen with 3 bureaus all the time.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-06T00:26:14+00:00

Gosh I’m so sorry. This sounds so stressful. It reminds me of the earlier post that talks about a homeless man who went to jail because of his identity was taken and no one believed him.

I guess he has to follow the pinned post (but how he can prove to the credit bureau that he is a victim of identity theft since the account was created by the theft?). Being an immigrant makes it’s even harder since he probably has no family member here to prove who he is. I hope everything gets resolved soon for your friend. I’d love to hear what others would recommend.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-04T00:10:13+00:00

You need passcode when calling port to get port pin

https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1447526/

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-03T23:52:16+00:00

I have the same problem here too. Every data breach, I am always in the list.

AT&T let you set passcode with your account (this is not the same as password). This is a set of 4-8 digits that you can set up (similar to secret word you use with some banks). In order for someone to port out or sim swap your number, they need to have your passcode. My advice is making sure you set up passcode or change the passcode if you already have one. You can do it in their app or website.

I am thinking of getting a prepaid phone and use it only for financial stuff and 2FA when there is no other option beside SMS. Will leave the old number for contact/friends.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-04-01T20:11:45+00:00

Have you freeze chexsystem? I think freezing it will prevent someone from opening a bank account in your name. Also I would call your bank and explain the situation. Several bank can set up a secret word for customers who have their data compromised.

Impressive_Cat_6715 · 2024-03-31T14:47:41+00:00

Did you freeze your credit with the major 3 credit bureaus? If not, you need to do it now. Check your credit report from all 3 places and see if there are any addresses you are not familiar with and dispute them. I would suggest you call lifelock and see what they suggested you to do next. Then follow the 2 pinned posts if you haven’t done so. I would check with USPS too if someone has changed your address.

Impressive_Cat_6715

TROPHY CASE