Identity Theft

I never thought it would happen to me, but it did. I pulled my credit report nearly six months ago, and like most people, I was concerned with inquiries and other credit items that were less than stellar. I paid very little attention to my personal information. When I finally began to look at EVERYTHING on my credit report, I found an address in Ohio that was listed as a former residence. I've never lived outside of Michigan. The apartment complex listed was the same one that my former caregiver lived in. Coincidence? I don't think so.

In order for someone to check your credit, they need your social security number. My former caregiver did know mine. I think that she offered my number as a possible cosigner or had her then boyfriend pretend to be me, to get her apartment.

So, what do you do? Here is what I did. I called the Michigan State Attorney Generals Office and was referred to the fraud division. I was then told that they could look into it, or, I could contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline and let the Federal Government take a peek at it. I chose to go to the federal level. They offer you an 800 phone number, an online form, a fax number or an address to send a letter to. I wrote a letter and invested a stamp knowing that everything I typed got to where it was sent. We will see what transpires.