Identity Theft/ Fraud

[polaris30144]

I found out last week that someone has taken over my AT&T Cell phone account. They created an on line account with my cell number and put their password on it. They then ,posing as me online gave ownership of the account to their name. Problem is the mailing address and SS number are still mine, but AT&T will not let me close the account because I don't have the password this person put on the account and their name is different than mine. I have called their fraud department and they told me to go to a corporate store. I spent 3 1/2 hrs. in the corporate store and they could not close the account either. The person has added a bunch of phones and UVerse to the account at another address and dropped 2 of mine, AT&T acknowledges that it is fraud, but they are helpless according to them because the thief added a password and I don't know it.......duh. I have shown them my ID and SS card with my number that is still on the AT&T account. Yep that is you and nope we can't help you unless you know the password they created.....WTF?

They said they are powerless to close or fix the account if someone hacks it if they put a password on it and you don't know it........why would someone stealing my account bother to tell me or send me the password....idiots. I think my next step is to contact an attorney and let them contact AT&T. If they are successful I plan on suing AT&T for their complete incompetence in handling this case of fraud and for any monetary damages incurred including attorney fee for correcting it. Anyone else ever have a problem with Identity theft/Fraud getting taken care of without hiring an attorney? I thought it was pretty obvious and so did the people I talked to at AT&T to fix it except their system wont let them make any changes to the account once the thief put a password on it.

 

[potenza]

That's messed up, I doubt an attorney would even take the case against AT &T. Go up the chain until you get some resolution

 

[polaris30144]

They did tell me why this person took over my account, they tried to open an account in their own name and they would have had to pay a $450 deposit......they know who it is, but can't tell me because of the password. This person didn't need my whole SS number, they only needed the last four numbers to take over my account since that is the default identifier when I set up the account. I almost think someone from within is helping this person. Not someone from Corporate but from one of the "Authorized" dealers. The authorized dealers can access any ones account at any time for "marketing" purposes. It apparently happens often enough for AT&T to have their own Fraud Department, even if they are incompetent.

 

[polaris30144]

I would not have even noticed it right away except one of the phones they had shut off was my spare phone that my grand daughter was using and it just went to no service all at once so I called AT&T to see why the phone didn't work.

 

[Zastava]

Scary stuff here..

 

[ddennis]

I would not have even noticed it right away except one of the phones they had shut off was my spare phone that my grand daughter was using and it just went to no service all at once so I called AT&T to see why the phone didn't work.

Call clark howard....

 

[sand53]

They are opening up fraudulent accounts under assumed names in order to purchase new iphones and ipads and then sell them for cash on craigslist. The criminals have been targeting the big wireless companies very heavily since last fall in Atlanta and they have all been hit.They will target one store and get 5-10 cellphones at at time using different people applying for new service. If you look on craigslist for new phones then you will see dozens of listings for hot new phones for $500-600. It is a big cash business and the wireless providers are trying to tighten up their credit process for new customers. Now the criminals are stealing legitimate customers identity to do the same thing. The best advice from Clark Howard is to freeze your credit with all three credit agencies as this will stop them in their tracks. It does make it a pain to unfreeze your credit every time you make a major purchase but it is safer that way.

 

[2jackrussell]

Delete the credit card linked to the account! They will close the account as soon as the bill comes due.

 

[4Delta]

Have you filed a police report? If not, you should do this ASAP. Once the report is generated, it will get assigned to a detective/investigator who will then be able to help you.

 

[SteelRinger]

Have you filed a police report? If not, you should do this ASAP. Once the report is generated, it will get assigned to a detective/investigator who will then be able to help you.

+100!

Do this right NOW!

And yes, Identity theft is a crime and the police can get the account shut down. I can't tell you how I know this right now, but trust me I do.