Victimized

Just when we think everything's moving along swimmingly.  Our broker keeps asking for paperwork; we keep providing it.  Our appraisal's in the works.  We're told that our closing date next month is attainable, which is happy news.

On top of that, we will most likely qualify for a grant from our state that assists us with our down payment!  That would mean that the money we've been saving can go towards necessary expenses like a refrigerator.  The rest would be put away for a rainy day.

Everything's going nice and easy, all things considered.  Until I get a voicemail:

"Hi, this is Amy with the Fraud department.  Please give me a call back at your earliest convenience..."  I've been frantically trying to stay on top of my work lately, and didn't think much of the call.  The next day, she called back and I answered.

Apparently, someone tried to open a line of credit in my name.  They had my correct social security number, my old address, but the rest of the information they provided was inaccurate.  I actually have a line of credit with the company who called, so the application seemed suspicious.  Thank goodness they called me!  I was able to stop the application and report it as fraud.

Bruce and I were freaking out that this would affect the mortgage application, but our broker assured us it won't.  Still, it's unsettling to know that someone out there has my social security number.  I am very careful about giving out my personal information, and I have an idea of how this might have happened.  You see, I was on a game show once (before you ask - I'm still not ready to write about it!) and the person who tried to steal my identity listed the production company as my employer.  I'm wondering if somehow my information got leaked on their end.  I had to fill out a W-2 for my (paltry) winnings, which included my social security number.  No one else would have that same combination of information, that I can figure.

Since the call from the Fraud department, I've issued a fraud alert on my credit report with Experian, who then shares that with the other major consumer credit reporting companies, Equifax and TransUnion.  The fraud alert is temporary - for 90 days if there is an attempt to open a line of credit in my name, the lender has to call me directly to get my approval.  I've also spoken with the credit card company's Victim's Assistance Unit, who advised me to also issue a fraud alert with Chex Systems, in case the perpetrator tries to open an online bank account in my name.  I also need to order a copy of my credit report to ensure nothing else fraudulent appears.

It's a pain in the ass.

According to the Identity Theft Assistance Center, reporting on a study conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research, identity fraud occurs to one person every three seconds in this country.   In these modern times, with online shopping and banking, many of us will face this kind of thing.  Yet there is little comfort in knowing I'm not alone.

I just hope that this was a minor incident and it doesn't go any further.  I don't want to end up one of those people ruined or entangled in a web of fraud.  Why would anyone want to steal my identity?  Go steal a rich person's!  Just kidding.  But really, that thief must be desperate and stupid.  I'm a pretty poor target - pun intended.