posted by Chris | In early November, I received an unusual looking letter from a bank that had been in the news. I opened it, because I thought it might contain info about the bank's poor subprime loan exposure.
What did I find? That I had a credit card with that bank and that I had submitted an address change to Philadelphia. I can assure you that I do not, nor have I ever, lived in Philly -- and I never had a credit card with that bank.
Like you, I daily receive countless marketing pieces from credit card issuers. I usually rip them up or shred them. I have a shredder at home and at my office.
Had I not opened that envelope, I wouldn’t have known about the card that was in my name. Somehow the perpetrators had my name, date of birth, address & social security number (everything but my mother's maiden name). I still have no idea how they found this data.
Had I not opened that envelope, I would not have gone online to get a free credit report and noticed that two credit card accounts had been opened in my name. I can tell you – you don’t want to have to waste the time that I've had to waste trying to clear this up!
I watch my identity as carefully as anyone I know – I don’t know how they found my information. I am sharing my experience with you so you will be proactive: go get a free credit report from. Below are links to three companies that give them:
www.equifax.com
www.experian.com
www.transunion.com
Incidentally, I have no financial relationship with any of those companies. I am imploring you to IMMEDIATELY check your credit, because if they can get my info they can get yours!
Christopher J. Conner
Certified Financial Planner TM
Certified Fund Specialist
Managing Director
5200 W. Newberry Road E-7
Gainesville, Florida 32607
352-225-3132 (Fax) 352-225-3784
Cell 352-281-4646
Other Posts by Chris:
* Shaken, not Stirred: Thoughts on Market Volatility
* What the Dow Jones Industrial Average Means to You
* Financial Planning New Year’s Resolutions Part II (People Over 50)
* Financial Planning New Year’s Resolutions Part I: (People 50 & Under)
Advisory Services offered through Jonathan Roberts Advisory Group.
Securities offered through J.W. Cole Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC
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