A small company I worked for has my name, address, and social security number because I worked for them. I no longer trust them.
What can they do with this information?
Can they check my credit report even if they are not allowed to (htey are a company not a rental complex, not a mortgage agent.)?
Is it enough information for Identity Theft?

I have two identity theft accounts. Someone use my social security number to apply for SBC and Direct TV. I never receive bills from them. When I found out about these accounts, they already shown as collection on my credit report. These have negative effect on my credit. I called up the collection agency for SBC and told them this is not my account. They are not willing to remove me. I have called up Federal Trade Commission and reported these. They couldn’t do anything about this. I have try to consult free legal aids, they didn’t make any reply!!! How can I remove these identity theft accounts?

I want to report the identity theft based on my credit report. But the police officer of Westminster Police Department in California said that she can not take my report because credit report is not a document for filing a report. Is it correct?

I am a victim of identity theft but caught it years too late because I did not check my credit report. I’ve been reviewing my report this last week and on one of the reporting agencies is a judgment for a debt that I did not make. I have already disputed the items, filed a police report, and contacted the companies.

What do I need to do about this judgment? I have no idea what it is or what to do or who to contact or where to begin.

Let us begin by defining what is identity theft?

Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information, your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your authorization or permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The Federal Trade Commission’s website estimates that as many as 8.5 million people have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you may know, probably has experienced some form of identity theft.

There are many different kinds of Identity theft. These people could try to rent an apartment, order a credit card, or sign up for a telephone IN YOUR NAME!! You may not find out about this crime until you review your credit report or look at your credit card bill. Often times, it is too late, the crime has been committed. And you do not know about it until you are contacted by a debt collector.

Identity theft is a serious crime. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend thousands and many days repairing damage to their excellent name and credit record. Some people have even lost out on job opportunities, denied education loans, lost out on houses or vehicles, just because this negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit. How would you like to be arrested for something that some one else did?

Hopefully you can see this is a critical situation that affects your entire life. Below are a few easy items that may help you to be aware and possibly avoid being a victim of this crime.

How could these thieves steal your identity?

Identity theft starts with the misuse of your personally identifying information such as your name and Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other bank account information. For identity thieves, this is where it all starts. Skilled identity thieves may use any one of these methods to steal from you:

1. Garbage Can Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it. (This is what shredders are for!!)
2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card. Usually when you hand your card to your server at a resturant. Word to the wise, “Do not let that card out of your sight!”
3. Phishing. They pretend to be your bank or even websites that you might have done business with in the past. They send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information. Don’t fall for it. Usually, banks and other’s never ask you in an email to enter your personal information. That is collected at the time you signed up, and under a secure server.
4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
5. Good Old-Fashioned Stealing. They steal wallets, purses, mail, bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers (Shred these!!), and tax information. They steal personnel records, or pay employees who have access a bribe.

All these methods are pretty disgusting to me and hopefully you too. What can we do about it?