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Being a Victim of identity theft in 1997. How to deal with paperworks now?  

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I was a victim of identity theft in 1997 and 3 credit card accounts were opened in my name, sent to a mailbox rental store. One of the credit cards was opened with Household Bank. Although they were skeptical initially that I was a victim of identity theft, I sent them the paperwork they required and never heard from them after a few months. A few days ago, I received a letter from Asset Acceptance saying that if I do not reply within 30 days, I will be acknowledging the debt of $4100. I checked my credit report and Household bank wasn't even on it! Is it because the statute of limitation in California runs out in 4 years? Should I just ignore the letter? Or should I send them a cease-comm letter and try to deal with Household Bank directly? Another problem is I cannot find the copies of the paperwork I sent to Household Bank in 1997! Will even sending them the cease-comm letter revive the debt in the credit report? What is my best course of action?

Any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 

asked Feb 23, 2005 06:06 AM

Anonymous
Best Answer
5
best answer

Hi jeferrer

I read your story and also appreciate the will power that you have shown to prove yourself innocent. Keeping in mind the increase of such thefts at an alarming rate, we should be very particular about giving our personal information to anybody.

However, if it ever happens that we become a victim, we should take immediate steps to save ourselves, otherwise things will really take the worst shape. You were lucky enough that you had a narrow escape.

Today, when I read the other articles on this subject, I realize that we need to have a strong computerized system to detect the illegal activities. May be a lot of suffering can be prevented which sometimes have no cure.

Regards
Roxette

answered Jun 23, 2005 05:10 PM

12 Answers

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Hi confused-in-LA,

Welcome to the debt consolidation care forum.


Quote:

I checked my credit report and Household bank wasn't even on it! Is it because the statute of limitation in California runs out in 4 years? Should I just ignore the letter? Or should I send them a cease-comm letter and try to deal with Household Bank directly?


Yes one of the reason is because the Statute of Limitations in California runs out in 4 years.

Send the Household Bank a letter rather than dealing with them directly. And make sure to preserve the letter with you and do not ignore it. Make them aware of the Statute of Limitations (SOL) in your State.

The Statute of Limitations can protect you from debt collectors and creditors that are attempting to collect a debt after a SOL has expired.

Moreover, the fdcpa also states that a debt collector cannot disturb you regarding the collection of any debt after the SOL period is lapsed.

Explain clearly that you have been a victim of identity theft. Hope you have the documents as a proof that you filed the complaint. Also keep a copy of your credit report which does not even have the name of Household Bank on it.

As Vikas mentioned in the earlier post, try to maintain some mailing instructions while sending the letter to the bank. Be more careful while handling the official documents next time.

Getting in touch with the Household Bank and explaining your situation by giving solid legal reasons could be the best course of action you can take up.

Don't worry the law is at your side. icon_smile.gif

Hope you participate frequently in the forum and share with us your experience and insights.

Regards,
Jason

answered Feb 23, 2005 10:00 PM

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Quote:

Should I just ignore the letter?

Don't ignore the letter, keep a copy and respond to it.


Quote:
Or should I send them a cease-comm letter and try to deal with Household Bank directly?

Yes, send a letter and tell them that they are wasting time as you are over with the debt collection period. Also threaten them using fdcpa ( http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/fdcpa.html ).

Also go through http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/mailing-instructions.html before sending mails.

Regards
Vikas

answered Feb 23, 2005 09:20 AM

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Thank you for your replies.

I found some documents from HH bank, last correspondence from them (in Sep 9icon_cool.gif was a request to submit a statement of non-responsibility. I found an old credit report and it says the account is charged off as of Nov 1998. So does the SOL comes into effect as of this date?

As I did not hear from HH Bank after submitting the affidavit, I assumed everything is settled. Sigh, back then, there weren't many guidelines on what to do after being a victim of identity theft. For this account, the police did not file a report for me as the frauded amount was less than $5000, but I remember the detective giving me his contact number which I gave to HH bank just in case they wanted to talk to him. The police told me that there is nothing much they can do except to advise me to change my mailbox lock and buy a shredder icon_sad.gif

answered Feb 24, 2005 09:02 AM

Anonymous
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Quote:

Enclose the attachment copies to your original letter in one envelope and send it by certified mail with a request of a return-receipt.

Enclose attachment copies to your letter copy in another envelope and send it by 1st class mail with a certificate of mailing.

For each letter you send, save a copy with the envelope as a proof. This includes a copy of your signed letter, your attachments, fax confirmation sheet, dated and stamped receipts from post office, certified mail receipt, certificate of mailing for your 1st class letter and return-receipt, after you get it through mail.


Sorry if these questions sound stupid: Here's my interpretation: Send one set of docs to Asset Accept and send another set to myself and make copies of the envelope addressed to myself plus all the certified mail & mailing receipts. Ditto for mails for HH bank?

answered Feb 24, 2005 09:17 AM

Anonymous
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i was wondering about all this identity theft, i have checked out 15+ apartments in mass. and i have given them my SSN# with all my info. can they use that against me if they choose?

answered Feb 24, 2005 11:27 PM

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Yes they can easily do that puchodog1977. Since you had given out your
SSN (Social security number) you are very much vulnerable of being an identity theft victim. Please go through this site before something bad happens.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/forums/about183.html

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/forums/about184.html

All the best,
Simon

answered Feb 25, 2005 11:16 AM

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Hi, just popped in here through a random link. Cool site, keep this good work up icon_smile.gif

answered Apr 12, 2005 08:21 PM

Anonymous
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Hi Casinos en ligne,

Welcome to the debt consolidation care forum.



Quote:

Hi, just popped in here through a random link. Cool site, keep this good work up.


Loads of thanks for your kind appreciation. icon_biggrin.gif. We aim at building a debt free community in the near future and strive to make things better for the people undergoing debt crisis across the Nation.

We would appreciate your participation in our forum and share your experience and insights with the members here. Also feel free to come forward with debt related queries.

It would be great if you become a part of our community and help us in our mission to make this world a debt free one. If you are interested in extending your helping hand towards these unfortunate debt struck people you can play the role of a Debt Samaritan. Check out the "Debt Samaritan Club"in the "Joining Rules and Suggestions" section of the forum. icon_smile.gif

Cheers,
Jason

answered Apr 12, 2005 10:59 PM

0

Casinos en ligne wrote:


Quote:

Hi, just popped in here through a random link. Cool site, keep this good work up icon_smile.gif


random spammer..

Jerry

answered Apr 13, 2005 03:10 AM

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