cell phone fraud...now what?

[DucatiHoney]

Some whore opened up a fraudulent cell phone account using my information back in early January. As soon as I got the first bill, I called it in and Verizon shut down the number. ...then I got another bill last month. I called Verizon again and they said that I needed to fill out a fraud report, so I did in mid-February. And the other day another bill came. I call about every week or week and a half to check on the situation and nothing has happened. The bills are getting quite large and on them it says that they're going to turn it over to collections. Meanwhile, when I call on the phone, Verizon tells me not to pay the bills and that the account is being investigated.

I'm getting a little concerned that my credit is going to be impacted by this. I have no idea what to do next. Anybody else deal with this kind of b.s. before? I've got other things to do than keep on these guys constantly.

 

[MikeyRocks]

Similar thing happened to me with Comcast, some assface opened up an account under my name (but with different SS#). Comcast contacted me and forwarded me to their fraud resolution department and all I had to do was fill out a form and provide proof that I was living where I was. They also suggested I file a police report with my local PD, which I did. That was the end of it.

Just keep following up with your cell phone provider and call them at least once a week asking for updates.

 

[jt2]

Keep a log of the calls with names/dates/times and what was discussed. Escalate. Ask to speak with a manager, and explain how long it has been going on.

 

[BMW]

Don't pay it. They will get it fixed but you will need to call a bunch more. Major bummer.

Coincidentally I would call three cred. Bureaus and put a hold on your credit. I can't remember if it's 3 months or 6 months but it will prevent it from happening all over again for awhile. Hopefully you don't need to buy a house/car/motorcycle soon.

 

[DucatiHoney]

Thanks, guys. I filed the police report as soon as it happened and also put a fraud alert in with the big three. I've filled out all of Verizon's forms and paperwork. It's a 20-45 minute wait to speak to someone in fraud whenever I call. I've been very prompt in my duties. Feel like I'm at the mercy of these guys right now. Really frustrating.

 

[insyder]

With all your time tied up in trying to manage their inability to coordinate between their fraud and billing departments, I'd have half a mind to send them an invoice for your wasted time.

 

[DucatiHoney]

Husband is suggesting that I could sue them, only if my credit is affected.

 

[Archimedes]

Had the exact same situation with Verizon. It was all their fault, their employee violated policies to allow it to happen. They were an absolute nightmare to deal with. I had to file a police report, etc. Took over 9 months to resolve it with those assholes. Got bounced around to three different people over and over. I would never deal with Verizon again. Never hit my credit though.

 

[mean dad]

So fucking aggravating that big companies do not seem to give a shit about id theft.

 

[wazzuFreddo]

So fucking aggravating that big companies do not seem to give a shit about id theft.

It is seen as a profit center and their employees have a big incentive to sign up new accounts, so they don't care about fraud.

Should have an FTC fine associated with every fraudulent account opened.

 

[planegray]

It is seen as a profit center and their employees have a big incentive to sign up new accounts, so they don't care about fraud.

Should have an FTC fine associated with every fraudulent account opened.

nope, too busy dealing with code violations, jaywalkers, and other more dangerous scofflaws

also have experience with fraud... stolen check account info, tracked down the person who did it, and no one could be bothered to prosecute

 

[wazzuFreddo]

nope, too busy dealing with code violations, jaywalkers, and other more dangerous scofflaws

also have experience with fraud... stolen check account info, tracked down the person who did it, and no one could be bothered to prosecute

It almost makes you wish you hadn't called the cops so you could just beat the tar out of them and call it even. :mad

 

[tgrrdr]

Husband is suggesting that I could sue them, only if my credit is affected.

If they ding your credit or send to collections I think you can sue. There was a pretty good thread about this several years ago but I don't know how to find it. Let Verizon go through the process and maybe put something in writing (beyond their fraud report form). Good luck and I'm pretty sure it will get worked out, I wouldn't stress too much about it.

it's apparently more common than I realized.

Example 1:
When I was trying to buy a house I found a bad cell phone account on my credit report, I think it was Verizon and the address was in Pittsburg - or some other place I've never lived. I've never had an account with Verizon so there was no way it was me.

It was eventually removed from my credit report and didn't impact getting a loan.

Example 2:
A guy I work with got a bill for a cell phone account in the mail. Address wasn't even close to his (different number and street but same town) but apparently the mail man recognized his unusual last name and delivered it to his house. I think it was similar to what you're going through but he eventually got it worked out.

 

[auntiebling]

Husband is suggesting that I could sue them, only if my credit is affected.

if you have a real account with them, there is probably a clause that you'll do mediation with them first in a state of their choosing (probably maryland where everything is incorporated because everyone likes soft shell crabs?)

of course

you could switch carriers thus voiding the legit phone plan leaving only the fraudulent one, so in addition to losing a customer you could then also sue them.

 

[mercurial]

They can't force mediation in a suit, there is no contract in place for this account even if there is a contract in place for a separate account.

DucatiHoney, this is what you do. Freeze your credit reports for all 3 bureaus to prevent further mischief. If you need credit it will cost you $10 every time to open it up temporarily, but it's worth it because it stops any identity thief dead in their tracks. Credit monitoring services are bullshit and not worth their cost, at all.

Next, on to Verizon. Send them a registered mail disavowing this account, and then do nothing. You have no duty of care to Verizon to follow up or minimize their losses associated with this fraud. Forget about this whole thing and let it be their problem.

If they report to collections and try to make it your problem, you can sue them under FDCPA/FCRA and they will have to pay you for the pleasure of fixing things. Sue them in small claims court for the statutory maximum, serve their registered agent in California, and watch them squirm. They will call you and try to fix it, but now you have them under your thumb and can force a settlement. If they refuse, they'll have to fly someone in to the small claims court hearing or risk default judgment. They'll pay up to make it go away.

 

[tgrrdr]

If they report to collections and try to make it your problem, you can sue them under FDCPA/FCRA and they will have to pay you for the pleasure of fixing things. Sue them in small claims court for the statutory maximum...

I think the FDCPA/FCRA was the point of the previous thread I "remember". I'll try to find the old thread when I'm at a computer.

 

[Tim-That CX Guy]

Thanks, guys. I filed the police report as soon as it happened and also put a fraud alert in with the big three. I've filled out all of Verizon's forms and paperwork. It's a 20-45 minute wait to speak to someone in fraud whenever I call. I've been very prompt in my duties. Feel like I'm at the mercy of these guys right now. Really frustrating.

E-mail 7 on your side.
They dig this kind of crap.

 

[wannabe]

They can't force mediation in a suit, there is no contract in place for this account even if there is a contract in place for a separate account.

DucatiHoney, this is what you do. Freeze your credit reports for all 3 bureaus to prevent further mischief. If you need credit it will cost you $10 every time to open it up temporarily, but it's worth it because it stops any identity thief dead in their tracks. Credit monitoring services are bullshit and not worth their cost, at all.

Next, on to Verizon. Send them a registered mail disavowing this account, and then do nothing. You have no duty of care to Verizon to follow up or minimize their losses associated with this fraud. Forget about this whole thing and let it be their problem.

If they report to collections and try to make it your problem, you can sue them under FDCPA/FCRA and they will have to pay you for the pleasure of fixing things. Sue them in small claims court for the statutory maximum, serve their registered agent in California, and watch them squirm. They will call you and try to fix it, but now you have them under your thumb and can force a settlement. If they refuse, they'll have to fly someone in to the small claims court hearing or risk default judgment. They'll pay up to make it go away.

gotta file this one in my head for future reference...

 

[DucatiHoney]

Good info here--at least I feel like I have some control! Keep it coming. Having a place to share my frustrations is nice too.

 

[auntiebling]

They can't force mediation in a suit, there is no contract in place for this account even if there is a contract in place for a separate account.

DucatiHoney, this is what you do. Freeze your credit reports for all 3 bureaus to prevent further mischief. If you need credit it will cost you $10 every time to open it up temporarily, but it's worth it because it stops any identity thief dead in their tracks. Credit monitoring services are bullshit and not worth their cost, at all.

Next, on to Verizon. Send them a registered mail disavowing this account, and then do nothing. You have no duty of care to Verizon to follow up or minimums their losses associated with this fraud. Forget about this whole thing and let it be their problem.

If they report to collections and try to make it your problem, you can sue them under FDCPA/FCRA and they will have to pay you for the pleasure of fixing things. Sue them in small claims court for the statutory maximum, serve their registered agent in California, and watch them squirm. They will call you and try to fix it, but now you have them under your thumb and can force a settlement. If they refuse, they'll have to fly someone in to the small claims court hearing or risk default judgment. They'll pay up to make it go away.

You sound smart. I like you. Not even joking

Good info here--at least I feel like I have some control! Keep it coming. Having a place to share my frustrations is nice too.

You could FedEx them some dog poo. Might be joking