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.

How it Began

I am a quadriplegic. I have been paralyzed since I turned 16 years old and I broke my neck by diving off of a cabin cruiser. I have about 50% use of my arms but I have no grip in my hands.

There, that out of the way, now I can discuss my new passion-CREDIT

How to build it, How to use it, How to destroy it, How to repair it, and how to deal with credit bureaus, credit card companies, collection agencies and collection departments that don't want you to know the things that I'm going to share with you.

Let me tell you my story.

In 2005, I was good friends with a caregiver that had worked with me for three years. She wanted to share my life. At the age of 56 and tired of living alone, I took her up on her offer. I sold my home, moved in with her and was to assume the role of the male figure in the household for her children. I put all of my money, credit, emotion and possessions into my new role, only to have this woman bring a new boyfriend into the home to be the children's father figure. Devastated, I moved out leaving everything behind and moved in with a sister who was dangerously close to losing her home. My rent kept the dogs away from the door long enough for her to find work and between her income and my rent, she began pulling free of her debt.

However, during my initial move into my sisters home, my mental state was such that I didn't really want to deal with the everyday. I had just lost everything. Well-not quite everything, I still had excellent credit- for another month. Because of my disability, I had my sister's name on a signature card so she could do my banking for me. She did my banking all right.

She took my rent from my disability check, then took some more-a lot more, so much more that when it was time to pay my credit card payments, there was no money to pay the minimum payments.

Well, there I sat, credit cards that were established in 1978, excellent credit for 27 years, and no money to pay them. I called Discover Card and explained my situation to them, hoping that they would work with me. Bluntly and coldly, I was told that there were no programs to assist me. That month my credit cards went unpaid.

The following month I began to get the phone calls. At first they were gentle reminders, and I again tried to ask for time. Again there were no plans that could help me. Again my sister had used most of my money, again the credit cards went unpaid.

Then it happened!! The phone calls became harassing. My interest rate went from 7.9% to 29.9% in one month!!! I couldn't believe it, after 27 years of excellent credit! At that rate the cards would never be paid off and I knew it. I decided that I would never be able to pay them off. Interestingly enough, Discover Card all of a sudden had a program that they offered people in my financial situation., but at 29.9%, it wouldn't have helped. My credit took the hit, and one by one, the other banks began to cancel my cards.

That was fall of 2005, and now in 2009, I still get an occasional phone call.

But I have learned a few things!!! The Fair Credit Reporting Act, the F.C.R.A., one of the best things that congress has done for the little guy.

This book is GREAT!! I bought it on Trial Pay. What a deal! I have learned so much from "Good Credit Is Sexy", I have started my own Credit Repair Consulting Business.

Order the Book!