2 Identity Theft Stories You Can Learn From

e 2 identity theft stories that will keep make us awareminutes totaling in excess of $1,100. I advised the
of what is happening in the identity theft world.representative that I did not authorize any charges; nor,
Stolen Debit Card?had I attempted to purchase anything from Tower
"My first experience with "Debit Card Fraud" happenedBooks. In fact, I live in another part of the state.
in August 1997. I get paid once a month, so I pay all myHe told me that he had answered the bank's 800
bills by the 5th of each month. This month, I had donenumber and an individual wanted to verify funds and
that and paid out approximately $1,400, leaving me withaccount holder information. The individual provided an
about $400 for the rest of the month. Well, on Augustaccount number (mine) but another name (not mine).
6, 1997, I received approximately nine envelopes fromHe advised the individual that the name provided did
Southwest Airlines, all addressed to me at my currentnot match the account holder information (he did not
address (I thought this was very weird because I hadgive them any of my personal information). He further
not had any type of contact or business withadvised they "decline" the purchase.
Southwest). I opened each envelope and found anThe bank representative then asked me if I had placed
itinerary for several individuals (unknown to me). Thesea catalog order with JC Whitney in Chicago, Illinois.
itineraries indicated these individuals "flew" all over theAgain, I told him that I did not authorize any charges;
country (between 7-30-97 and 8-3-97) and I was billednor, had I attempted to purchase anything from JC
for it. The total airlines tickets were $1,775; and, ofWhitney. The bank representative asked me if I had
course since my paycheck had just been depositedlost or had my Visa Debit Card stolen. I told him no, I
into my account, these itineraries were "paid."was in possession of the card. I requested that the
I immediately contacted Southwest Airlines whocard be cancelled immediately. I cut up the card while I
confirmed that it was, in fact, my Visa debit cardwas on the phone with the bank. I was then
number used when making all airline reservations; and,transferred to another bank employee to complete
that the same person made all the reservations. Thesome additional paperwork. This representative told
Southwest representative refused to give me theme that no card was used to make any of the
name of that individual but indicated that if a policepurchases, it was a "number only" transaction. I was
officer contacted her, she would provide them withadvised to contact my local law enforcement agency
detailed information.to make a report.
I then contacted my bank and advised them of theI immediately went to the Sacramento Police
fraudulent Visa debit card activity. The bankDepartment and explained my situation with a request
representative took a fraud affidavit and cancelled byto make a report. They told me that since the charges
debit card. He also advised that three of mywere made in Torrance, CA, that I would have to file
"legitimately" issued checks (you know, the ones Imy report with that agency.
wrote at the beginning of the month) had beenI then contacted the Torrance PD Watch Commander
returned NSF.and explained my situation to him. He said that I would
When speaking with the bank representative, hehave to come into their office to make a report, he
asked me if I had provided my card number to anyonecould do nothing over the phone. I explained to him that
recently. I advised him that I had just received this cardI lived and worked in northern California; and, that I was
and had it activated on July 9, 1997. I only used thisnot coming to Torrance in southern California! I
card ONE TIME - to rent a UHaul! It also struck medemanded that he take the information over the
odd that all itineraries had my new address on themphone. He then transferred me to a detective, who
(as I had just moved there in July). I reserved/rented atook a statement from me with a request for a
UHaul trailer in Oregon on July 15, 1997; and, returned itdetailed written statement to be faxed as soon as
to a UHaul lot in another city on July 28, 1997. When Ipossible. He also advised me to recontact the
pulled my paperwork, I found my entire debit cardSacramento Police Department, make a report and
number and new address listed!have them send it to him immediately.
I told the bank representative that it appeared that anI returned to the Sacramento Police Department and
employee of UHaul compromised my account.told them what I needed to do. I gave them special
I then contacted the Sacramento Sheriff's Office andinstructions on mailing the report to the Torrance Police
filed a report. I brought copies of all documentation withDepartment. The desk clerk seemed very confused
me as well as the information regarding the UHaul. Theon what to do. Again, I gave her specific instructions.
representative (a volunteer) didn't seem too interestedGuess what? About five days later, I received the
in the documentation and advised me to go to myreport with original documentation in my mailbox. On
bank.the last page, it has specific instructions on sending the
I then went into the local bank branch, and theinformation to Torrance. IT WAS NEVER
representative verified that my debit card had beenFORWARDED TO TORRANCE PD.
cancelled; and, took another fraud affidavit. We thenI called the detective who I had spoken to on the 25th
discussed the fact that my legitimately issued checksof June. I explained the mix-up with the report (luckily
were now being received by the bank and beingthough I had prepared and faxed a detailed statement
dishonored. I provided them with a list of my checksto him on June 25). Anyway, he told me that he
and requested that they be paid; and, any accumulatedcontacted Tower Books in Torrance regarding my
NSF charges be waived. They agreed to do this forcomplaint. The store manager advised him that since
me. They indicated that their Investigations Unit in wouldthe bank did not confirm the account number and
be conducting an investigation.account holder information, the charges were never
I also requested that their investigator contactprocessed (although my bank "withheld" funds equal to
Southwest Airlines to find out who made all thethe amount of the "pending" charges). Since the
reservations in question. Additionally, the Department ofcharges were never authorized, there was nothing
Motor Vehicles had also assigned an investigator toelse they could do.
investigate the possible issuance of fraudulent driversI then asked the detective about the JC Whitney
licenses into the names of the individuals boarding thecharges (JC Whitney advised me they had a name
airplanes (because as you are aware, you have toand address of where to ship the merchandise). He
present a photo ID at the ticket counter before youindicated he would contact them.
can get your tickets).The detective called me back and confirmed what I
I then asked my bank representative if I could have aalready knew: JC Whitney received a telephone order
loan of $500 - as payment of the itineraries hadand attempted to obtain a credit authorization in the
depleted my account. I was told no, that my accountamount of $589 (using my number - but not my name).
was negative $3,700; and, it was their policy not to loanWhen they processed the order, there was a "hard
money to individuals who had a negative accountdecline" on file (meaning the card was lost, stolen or
balance. I asked them what I was supposed to do forthe number had been compromised). The merchandise
food and gas? They had no answer for me.was not released and the charges would not be
Anyway, I never heard from the bank investigator orsubmitted to my bank (although my bank "withheld"
the sheriff's office. Now, here comes a surprise - thefunds equal to the amount of the "pending" charge).
DMV investigator assigned to the case was friendsAgain, since the charge was not authorized, there was
with a local District Attorney, who was prosecutingnothing else they could do (what about knocking on
individuals for identity theft. Just in passing one day, thetheir door and seeing what else these individuals were
investigator mentioned that I was having a problemup to?????)
and was there anything that could be done (mentionedSo, I have given up on having a Visa Debit Card. Even
lack of investigation from airlines, bank, or sheriff'swith careful usage, my information has been
office). I sat down with the DA and provided copies ofcompromised twice - causing me undue hardship,
all my documentation.frustration and a whole lotta work! The Torrance PD
She noticed right away a "nickname" used to bookdetective was a bit put off that I was so demanding!
several of the airline reservations. She was familiarToo bad. I learned the first time, the hard way. This
with this individual whom she had just prosecuted fortime I was determined to get answers, to have
credit fraud. In her case, he had been sentenced to 7someone do something! The first time, I got nothing
years prison in June 1997 with a requirement to turnfrom everyone involved; the second time, I got a
himself in the first of August 1997 to start his sentence.half-baked investigative effort, from both PDs involved;
She said she would do some checking and get backI got more information because I wouldn't let it go and
with me. She told me that he went on a "dumpsterbecause I knew the kind of questions to ask. I got
diving spree" before he started his sentence and I waslimited information from the companies involved
one of his last victims. She further stated that if shebecause I wasn't a peace officer; but, the peace
prosecuted him for my crime, the sentence would runofficers didn't get any more than I did when they called.
concurrently - a waste of money.I do have to say this - in both situations - I knew the
So, I had a bit of satisfaction knowing that he waskind of questions to ask these companies because I
locked up anyway. But that still didn't ease my pain orwork for a state law enforcement agency, and have
help me out. I still had to make all kinds of phone calls,been exposed to and assisted in investigations of
provide copies of documents, and for what? Threecredit fraud and identity theft. In my opinion, I did a
agencies who did nothing! I ended up "eating" $50 ofbetter job at getting information (although very limited)
the fraud because my bank had a policy in place thatthan anyone could have imagined. I was able to
the first $50 in fraud would not be covered by theprovide the PD in each case with a lot of specific stuff.
bank.Yet, no one was prosecuted in either of my cases!
It's been 5 years - you know that no one from theIdentity theft and credit fraud continue because it is
Sheriff's Office or the bank investigator HAVE EVEReasy to do; and, the prosecution rate is very low -
CALLED ME?making this crime "fashionable." How else can you get
I did not replace my Visa Debit Card until May of 2001.a lot of stuff without having to pay for it? How else
-anonymouscan you live a good lifestyle without having to pay for
ROUND 2it? Only when ALL these people are held accountable
"On June 25, 2001, I received a telephone call from myfor these crimes, will it not be as lucrative as it is today.
current bank's representative. He stated that he-anonymous
wanted to confirm some charges for Tower Books inIf you believe that you are a victim, them you should
Torrance, CA. He advised me that an individual (heseek the assistance of a qualified legal professional.
gave me a name) made five transactions within 15