livi asked:
Somebody got a hold of all my personal info. and applied for American Express on line and was approved for $3000, I found out about it when the collection agency contacted me. It’s been on my record for more than a year now and I dont know how to take care of it, now its up to $4150. I notified American Express of this fraud and asked them to investigate it, but all I got from them was an offer to settle the account for less, and also had a lawyer contact me. I filed a police report. I informed the lawyer of the fraud but he didn’t get back to me yet. Shoud I sue American Express for being negligent upon aproving credit in my name or send the police report to one of the national credit agency and see if they will take it off my record?
COREY
Somebody got a hold of all my personal info. and applied for American Express on line and was approved for $3000, I found out about it when the collection agency contacted me. It’s been on my record for more than a year now and I dont know how to take care of it, now its up to $4150. I notified American Express of this fraud and asked them to investigate it, but all I got from them was an offer to settle the account for less, and also had a lawyer contact me. I filed a police report. I informed the lawyer of the fraud but he didn’t get back to me yet. Shoud I sue American Express for being negligent upon aproving credit in my name or send the police report to one of the national credit agency and see if they will take it off my record?
COREY
#1 by Michael on November 1, 2009 - 2:09 pm
TRUMAN
Contact experian, transunion, and equifax about what happened so it can be noted. You can put a credit freeze or have them check with you prior to authorizing any further accounts. Also contact the federal trade commission (see link below) about what you can do. I wish you best.
#2 by Sgt Big Red on November 4, 2009 - 11:07 pm
ISAIAH
Use the following link for information on how to deal with this issue.
CONSUMER FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFTS.
#3 by Studly on November 6, 2009 - 7:09 pm
DARNELL
There is a very specific procedure that you must follow in order to fix ID theft issues. Start by going to the link below.
In a nutshell, here is what you do:
1) File a police report
2) Fill out an affidavit and make several copies, then get them notorized. (see link below for sample)
3) Send a copy to American Express and their attorney. Inform them that you are a victim and demand validation of this debt. Inform them that they are posting inaccurate info on your credit report and it must be removed immediately.
4) Contact ONLY ONE of the credit bureaus and report that you are a victim of ID theft. They will notify the rest, and a “red flag” will be placed on your files. (See the link below)
5) Dispute any listing associated with this theft with each of the credit bureaus
If the item is still there in 30 days, you have now completed all of your legal requirements and you can sue them for damages. You CAN NOT sue anyone until each of these steps have been completed.