Identity Theft- Recurring

[175gr7.62]

Looking for some advice. My wife had her identity stolen about 18months ago. Several accounts opened up, the usual stuff. It's all going on in New Mexico. So far, we have been able to get everything shut down and taken care of but it keeps happening. Just got a call from a collections agency this morning, Verizon, $2600.

How can we stop it? I think they have her SSN so I don't see how we can keep them from doing it over and over again.

[WItoTX]

Lifelock is what I use. Not cheap, but seems worth it so far. I've never had my identity stolen in the first place though to see how well it actually works.

[hightech]

I believe you can lock down each credit report from opening any new accounts.

[tbgascorer]

I believe you can lock down each credit report from opening any new accounts.

This. Put a lock on each credit reporting bureau. You'll get a pin# for each to temporarily open when you want to buy something on credit. It's a PIA to have to do, but worth it.

[2050z]

I believe you can lock down each credit report from opening any new accounts.

Yep. Just call them and tell them to put a fraud alert on the ID. It will last 90 days. We had to do this when my wife's ID was stolen

[muzzlebrake]

Do like they do in the middle east for theives. First offense they publicly chop off a hand. Second time they publicly chop of the head.

[Drycreek3189]

Lifelock is what I use. Not cheap, but seems worth it so far. I've never had my identity stolen in the first place though to see how well it actually works.

[175gr7.62]

I believe you can lock down each credit report from opening any new accounts.

True, but what I am finding out is the some merchants don't actually do anything with the credit agencies unless the account goes into arrears.

[STXBOWHUNTER73]

Life lock and also notify the IRS and try to get them to give you a PIN number to file taxes. My advise is to use life lock for your entire family kids and all. They will notify you ASAP via text and email anytime something looks suspicious. It does become a PIA at times but well worth it.

[Larryf250]

Happened to me. You will need to file a police report for as many instances that you can. Talk to the collection agency too. Believe it or not they know this happens and typically have a fraud division.

[justletmein]

Lifelock didn't seem to do squat for me. Now I never had the identity theft issue, but I did drop my SS card in the local shopping mall parking lot so I went and signed up for everything under the sun. After that I got a new loan, bought a new vehicle and a credit card or two. Each time all the other agencies immediately emailed me and one would call until I told them to stop. Lifelock just let them all slide. Not sure if that's by design, maybe somehow they could tell it was legitimate somehow?

The 90 day fraud thing is great as that's handled by the bureau themselves, you alert one and that one alerts the other two for you. I *think* I remember there being a longer duration option available for people who had actual identity theft issues but don't quote me on that.

[cabo390]

Go here and follow all the bs you gotta do

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/identitytheft

then here

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/identity-protection

get the PIN now! so the *******s can't steal your tax return.

[NoFence]

X2 on lifelock. And report everything as fraud to whoever they're buying and to your local law enforcement. I went through the same thing last year.