Random randomness

[Daehawk]

And its HOT here and HUMID. Im sweating with ac running and fans. In fact I ate some broccoli and now im sick from the heat. Its a heat index is 107 here. Heat dome for the next 2 days or so.

[Unagi]

What was the number you were dialing for Capital One?

[Isgrimnur]

Where did you get the number for "Capital One"?

[gilraen]

It wasn't support per se it was Capital One and I wanted to ask questions about their cards. I called customer service and got a msg saying you qualify for a $100 walmart gift card due to customer service computers being down...the cost was $3..or $2. There was no way around them..when I called it said press one for the gift or hang up.

[Anonymous Bosch]

It wasn't support per se it was Capital One and I wanted to ask questions about their cards. I called customer service and got a msg saying you qualify for a $100 walmart gift card due to customer service computers being down...the cost was $3..or $2. There was no way around them..when I called it said press one for the gift or hang up.

[coopasonic]

What was the number you were dialing for Capital One?

Seriously. I want to report this.

[Daehawk]

What was the number you were dialing for Capital One?

Seriously. I want to report this.

Credit card support: 1 (800) 227-4825

Customer service: 1 (877) 383-4802

I don't recall which i called first but got the same shill on both numbers. I got them by googling capital one then using the numbers on the right of the results.

[gilraen]

Those are, in fact, the right numbers. The first number is for existing customers only.

The second number is their generic customer service - except you didn't call 1 (877)383-4802, you called 1 (800)383-4802. I just tried it, that's exactly what the recording says. That's also a scam as old as...well, 877 and 888 and 866 numbers.

[Blackhawk]

Two questions:

1. What kind of support charges you $3?
2. How did they get your card information?

It wasn't support per se it was Capital One and I wanted to ask questions about their cards. I called customer service and got a msg saying you qualify for a $100 walmart gift card due to customer service computers being down...the cost was $3..or $2. There was no way around them..when I called it said press one for the gift or hang up. So called their other number and gave up and paid for the damn thing. Sounded fishy as hell but it was cap one. Ok..he goes to transfer me and it hangs up. I call back on the other number...almost same msg. Press 1 press 1 press any number for gift card. I cant avoid them. This time an indian lady says I hace to go through it all again but they wont charge me. Fine...these two calls took over 2 1/2 hours....not only did I have to give my info twice but I had to listen to I think a dozen computer skills trying to sell me more. Finally she is doen says thank you and hangs up...again. I called back in 30 mine this time it went straight to customer support np. I got my answers and then asked about the fishy gift card....she had no idea about it...said it sounds fishy but it WAS Cap One...so dunno. The 2nd lady even gave me a confirmation number and a pin...but I have no idea how to see if its real.

Anyways about 30 min later my bank calls warning me of fraud activity. So I call them and they ask if I approved the other charge and I said no thinking they would simply block that one. And they canned my card and are sending me a new one.

Buncha weirdness. BTW the third lady I got was not indian so maybe another area...or the first two were fraud somehow.

Ok, here's the follow-up question:

Where did you get the number you called? I'm pretty sure it wasn't Capitol One.

And your bank just saved your ass.

/edit - I just got Hulk-BAMMED. That's what I get for not noticing there was another page.

[Daehawk]

Those are, in fact, the right numbers. The first number is for existing customers only.

The second number is their generic customer service - except you didn't call 1 (877)383-4802, you called 1 (800)383-4802. I just tried it, that's exactly what the recording says. That's also a scam as old as...well, 877 and 888 and 866 numbers.

It sounded too good to be true. But why did I get the recording on both numbers? I called one then the other. Then last called CS again.

Also I caught my sister. She was too busy to come to my town today or tomorrow but was able to guy by my bank and deposit me enough. Went ahead and paid the bill. She will be coming up here next week to bring me an old water hose so I can defrost my freezer to try and sell and Ill pay her back then.

[TheMix]

Dae, how much personal info did you give them? I hope you already have a credit freeze for the main three credit bureaus (which, incidentally, might interfere with getting a credit card anyway; depends on whether you have done business with them before). But if you gave them enough info for them to steal your identity, then you should also look at activating a Fraud Alert. It, in theory, adds additional protection.

[Daehawk]

I never fall for a scam...ever. Yet I fell big time for this. Ive gave them all my damn info. Something I usually know better. but between lack of sleep and sick and stress I fucked up fully. Im so damn embarrassed .

They have my bank card from one bank. Which ive took care of.

They have my total banking account info on my other bank. I call CS just now. My only real option is to put a hold on my bank and close it and open a new account. This is my main account for everything since me and my wife took it out in 2008. It still has her name too. Id have to go in with photo ID to the bank and open a new one. Then Id have to set all my stuff back up including my social security. Unfortunately I have no car and no way to go to the bank. I I didn't freeze or cancel it. I cant fix it if I do. And my SS check arrives next Friday.

They have my ss number. Im not sure what to do about that. Ive never dealt with this stuff before. But Im totally hosed.

Figures at the worst point in my life it got worse cause I called a damn place to ask a question. At least with my bank they think its still in the old name of the p;lace but having both routing and account numbers I dont see that helping.

No I gotta figure out what to do about my ss. They can ID theft me anytime.

My only prayer is they dont try to withdraw anything from my bank..Im lucky Im $46 overdrawn...but would get hit with yet another $30 fee putting me behind again.

[Daehawk]

Woulda fraud alert lock my banks? I cant fix that if I have to go in i9n person due to no car.

[Unagi]

Ugh, man, that sucks.

[Daehawk]

Ya my fault. Shoulda know...im just zonked right now tired and stressed so didn't catch it.

Its 1 step forward and 3 back for me these days. Other than my banks its really just the SS identity theft parts that scares me. Sorely tempted to say F it and just take all my money when my SS comes and get a ticket overseas and forget it. I wont..but I like thinking about it.

[Anonymous Bosch]

I never fall for a scam...ever. Yet I fell big time for this. Ive gave them all my damn info. Something I usually know better. but between lack of sleep and sick and stress I fucked up fully. Im so damn embarrassed .

They have my bank card from one bank. Which ive took care of.

They have my total banking account info on my other bank. I call CS just now. My only real option is to put a hold on my bank and close it and open a new account. This is my main account for everything since me and my wife took it out in 2008. It still has her name too. Id have to go in with photo ID to the bank and open a new one. Then Id have to set all my stuff back up including my social security. Unfortunately I have no car and no way to go to the bank. I I didn't freeze or cancel it. I cant fix it if I do. And my SS check arrives next Friday.

They have my ss number. Im not sure what to do about that. Ive never dealt with this stuff before. But Im totally hosed.

Figures at the worst point in my life it got worse cause I called a damn place to ask a question. At least with my bank they think its still in the old name of the p;lace but having both routing and account numbers I dont see that helping.

No I gotta figure out what to do about my ss. They can ID theft me anytime.

My only prayer is they dont try to withdraw anything from my bank..Im lucky Im $46 overdrawn...but would get hit with yet another $30 fee putting me behind again.

I would strongly suggest carefully going through the steps provided below by the National Center for Victims of Crime & FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority):

TAKING ACTION:
Identity Theft Victim Recovery Checklist

It may seem like a tedious process, but do NOT half-arse any of it.

[Daehawk]

I will in a few...still calling bank. Im on hold with social security. Those shits take all day to answer you. Ive been on hold 20 minutes. They close in 40 min. I called them to discuss the fraud and my ss card.

Is it identity theft if nothing is lost yet....I mean no illegal activity on my credit that I know of ...but they have my ss# do I still report it as a fraud alert?

I cant do some of that stuff from the link as it requires me to go in and again no car...which is ruining a lot.

[Daehawk]

Spoke to SS. they gave me number for the ftc and inspector general so Ill call them as soon as i can..hope they are open . Also Im going right now to do a fraud alert at equifax

[hitbyambulance]

Those are, in fact, the right numbers. The first number is for existing customers only.

The second number is their generic customer service - except you didn't call 1 (877)383-4802, you called 1 (800)383-4802. I just tried it, that's exactly what the recording says. That's also a scam as old as...well, 877 and 888 and 866 numbers.

It sounded too good to be true. But why did I get the recording on both numbers?

because you also probably dialed the other one with the wrong prefix? check your phone dial call history.

[Daehawk]

Called the wrong customer service number.

Ok got a fraud alert issued through Trans.

Cant get regions to answer with a person now just all computer without the right way to proceed. Dont think they closed but done know. Wanted to chec ka small $4 withdrawl..if its today its the scammers and I will have it removed if I can.

SS gave me the number I mentioned..will call them.

Ive seen those number or online web addy. But never fell for one

[gilraen]

Cant get regions to answer with a person now just all computer without the right way to proceed. Dont think they closed but done know. Wanted to chec ka small $4 withdrawl..if its today its the scammers and I will have it removed if I can.

Are you trying to call your local branch? It's not about removing the $4 withdrawal, the scammers use the small transaction to check if the account is "live", and now that they've confirmed it, they'll empty it out. You can no longer keep the same account number. You need to call the bank's 1-800 number, listen to the computer options, pick anything related to fraud or compromised accounts and talk to them today.

[TheMix]

So... here's my understanding of how things work. Take it with a block of salt.

When you have a credit freeze, then new accounts can't be opened. But here's the kicker, if you have ever done business with the entity, then the account likely won't be considered "new". For example, in my life I've had accounts with Citibank. So even if I didn't have an account currently, if someone got my information and called them to get a new credit card, it would not be considered a new account, and therefore the freeze would be irrelevant.

What a fraud alert does, theoretically, is require the lender to actually contact you before authorizing the new account. So even if you were a prior customer, if they see the alert, they are supposed to call you to verify. I doubt it's perfect, but every bit might help.

Basically by activating the alert you are telling the credit companies (and any company that contacts them for a credit report) that you believe your identify has been stolen.

Unlike a freeze, I believe that an alert is only good for one year. And I think you can get in trouble for using it without reason. But I'm pretty sure you are covered there.

[Daehawk]

I didn't do the freeze. I cant free that bank right now even with the possibility of scammers doing something. Theres been no charge to this bank..my main bank.

The other bank was just the card and itd already canceleld and new one on the way.

Still trying to talk to that bank for another reason.

I got a fraud alert issued

I filled out a report at the ftc online.

No one will answer at the inspector general.

[Daehawk]

Oh and no one does anything about identity theft unless its been used to buy something or withdraw money or open an account. Basically most of the places make ya wait until its too late

[Blackhawk]

talk to them today.

Apply that to everything. It needs to happen right now, because I guarantee you the scammers aren't going to wait until a more convenient time. They know that they have a limited window before they lose access, so they will act fast.

[TheMix]

Not sure what you mean by "I cant freeze(?) that bank right now".

The freeze is on the major credit bureaus. You will definitely need to have each of your banks put a freeze/lock on your accounts. But that's different from the freeze that I was referring to. I was talking about a credit freeze to prevent new accounts from being opened with your info.

Experian:
Freeze: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
Fraud Alert: https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html

Transunion:
Freeze: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
Fraud Alert: https://www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts

Equifax:
Freeze: https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/security-freeze/
Fraud Alert: https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/fraud-alerts/

The only thing to consider with regards to freezes is that some states only let you have a limited number of unlocks. Or used to. There could be fees involved for removing the freeze. Though I don't know if that still applies. With the increase in identity theft, I think that they have removed those restrictions. Still a good idea to check at some time. However, I would strongly recommend, when you get a chance to take a breath, that you go ahead and sign up at all three of the credit bureaus for both the freeze and the alert. If you do need to open a new account somewhere, then you should be able to just temporarily remove the freeze on one or two of those for a day or two. But that, honestly, is the least of your concerns now.

But first, I agree with gilraen, you need to be calling the main number for your banks, not the local numbers. Follow the prompts for their fraud department. Get something put in place tonight. They should have after-hours staff.

[TheMix]

Oh and no one does anything about identity theft unless its been used to buy something or withdraw money or open an account. Basically most of the places make ya wait until its too late

That what the freezes/fraud alerts do. But you have to request those. They won't do them proactively. And I assume the banks are the same way. The most they can do is tell you that they see some activity that they think is suspicious. You have to authorize them to lock the accounts until you can get new accounts set up.

[Isgrimnur]

Regions Report Fraud Help & FAQs

[TheMix]

One more. Sorry, I know this is not what you wanted to be dealing with today. Or any day.

But, you said you got a fraud alert set up. Bravo! However, there are three credit bureaus. Scammers can go to any of them. So you do need to get an alert set up on all three of them. It doesn't take long. I did it recently when I noticed someone tried to get a credit card in my name.

[TheMix]

Regions Report Fraud Help & FAQs

^^^^^^^^

And good luck.

[Daehawk]

Oh freeze on credit ...ya I did that a bit ago. Froze with transunion and they will spread the word to the other 2.

I mean my bank. I would like to freeze it but I need it ..its too close to my ss check going in. Soon as it does Im paying all my bills then will probably freeze it and get a new one....trouble there is another reason i cant freeze..I have to go to a local location of my bank with id and open a new account. No car..cant go cant do it..cant do a lot of shit Im finding out.

I can only pray they dont withdraw any of my SS or Im screwed. Also hope they dont make a charge cause then Im hit with yet another overdraft fee.

Oh and at regions that $4 charge is pending and they cant do anything about it until it clears then Ill need to call back and have it taken care of.

[Daehawk]

Oh and the scammers are going by CFE*FINANCIALAC. Thats what listed on that scam bank charge.

Its a real place but its some retirement credit thing here in the US.

[TheMix]

Oh freeze on credit ...ya I did that a bit ago. Froze with transunion and they will spread the word to the other 2.

Do not trust that. Go to each one and make sure you have a freeze.

[Daehawk]

Oh freeze on credit ...ya I did that a bit ago. Froze with transunion and they will spread the word to the other 2.

Do not trust that. Go to each one and make sure you have a freeze.

I tried at equifax and was unable to do so. I dont recall why. Ive about give out for the day and not remembering stuff right.

BTW what is the 3 one? I know equi and trans.

[TheMix]

Oh freeze on credit ...ya I did that a bit ago. Froze with transunion and they will spread the word to the other 2.

I mean my bank. I would like to freeze it but I need it ..its too close to my ss check going in. Soon as it does Im paying all my bills then will probably freeze it and get a new one....trouble there is another reason i cant freeze..I have to go to a local location of my bank with id and open a new account. No car..cant go cant do it..cant do a lot of shit Im finding out.

I can only pray they dont withdraw any of my SS or Im screwed. Also hope they dont make a charge cause then Im hit with yet another overdraft fee.

Oh and at regions that $4 charge is pending and they cant do anything about it until it clears then Ill need to call back and have it taken care of.

That sounds like a lot of crap. No offense. Who were you talking to? That sounds like a local person. You need to talk to the bank's fraud people. They should be able to give you options. Find out if freezing the account will stop your SS check from being deposited? It may not. Find out if you can unfreeze it and refreeze it to pay bills. If you know what bills, find out if you can pre-authorize those specific bills. I find it highly unlikely that they can't do anything (though not impossible, it might just be a shit bank). In cases like this, I believe the banks are the ones that end up taking the hit. And they are usually very happy to protect what's theirs.

[Isgrimnur]

Experian:
Freeze: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
Fraud Alert: https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html

[TheMix]

Oh freeze on credit ...ya I did that a bit ago. Froze with transunion and they will spread the word to the other 2.

Do not trust that. Go to each one and make sure you have a freeze.

I tried at equifax and was unable to do so. I dont recall why. Ive about give out for the day and not remembering stuff right.

BTW what is the 3 one? I know equi and trans.

See my post above. I listed all three and the links for each. Experian, Equifax, and Transunion.

[TheMix]

Experian:
Freeze: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
Fraud Alert: https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html

Is it still a bam if you are quoting me?

[Isgrimnur]

More of a >boop<

[Anonymous Bosch]

Oh and no one does anything about identity theft unless its been used to buy something or withdraw money or open an account. Basically most of the places make ya wait until its too late

Alas, this is part of the tedious aspect of recovering from identity theft, and why you should follow the advice in the linked PDF I posted above to create and use an 'Identity Theft File.' Because once your identity has been so thoroughly compromised (i.e. your social security number, bank account numbers, routing numbers etc), the ramifications may take months or years to remedy. So, it's best to be prepared for the long haul. Because if/when you spot unusual activity in any of your accounts or become a victim of actual identity theft attempts, you're going to need relevant documentation and evidence concerning any such attempts to reliably fight back against it.