Credit Help! Identity Theft?

[Solo2driver]

Had a hit on my credit reporting agencies for a Hard Inquiry (request for credit, loan, etc that is supposed to be initiated or approved by me) today Saturday 12/27/2008 from a company in Alabama. It is a Check Cashing place that has a DBA/AKA for an equipment leasing company. All phone numbers for both businesses are either fax numbers or invalid. I think I may be a victim of identity theft.

Details--

Amchex Inc -- listed as a Check Cashing/Loan company, zero BBB info.
1836 3rd Ave N.
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 251-0448
(205) 271-8700

Happy Rentals Inc -- listed as Equipment Rental, no BBB history.
1836 3rd Ave N.
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205)271-8968


I have tried to contact this company to alert them that I did not authorize any hard inquiries to my credit nor apply for any credit, loan, credit card, etc.

Next step is to Dispute the Inquiry with the three credit reporting agencies? Call each one? What to do? I am a major proponent of cutting this stuff off QUICKLY as soon as I am notified, that is why I have the service, have gotten fraudulent charges before

Help? I am driving back to Houston from San Diego CA this Monday and Tuesday, may be able to do some of this in the car by cell phone.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: Solo2driver
Had a hit on my credit reporting agencies for a Hard Inquiry (request for credit, loan, etc that is supposed to be initiated or approved by me) today Saturday 12/27/2008 from a company in Alabama. It is a Check Cashing place that has a DBA/AKA for an equipment leasing company. All phone numbers for both businesses are either fax numbers or invalid. I think I may be a victim of identity theft.

Details--

Amchex Inc -- listed as a Check Cashing/Loan company, zero BBB info.
1836 3rd Ave N.
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 251-0448
(205) 271-8700

Happy Rentals Inc -- listed as Equipment Rental, no BBB history.
1836 3rd Ave N.
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205)271-8968


I have tried to contact this company to alert them that I did not authorize any hard inquiries to my credit nor apply for any credit, loan, credit card, etc.

Next step is to Dispute the Inquiry with the three credit reporting agencies? Call each one? What to do? I am a major proponent of cutting this stuff off QUICKLY as soon as I am notified, that is why I have the service, have gotten fraudulent charges before

Help? I am driving back to Houston from San Diego CA this Monday and Tuesday, may be able to do some of this in the car by cell phone.


Call each of the three companies and tell them you are the victim of attempted identity theft and ask them to lock down your files so that no info is given out without your approval. In other words, they won't release information about you unless they contact you first.

It's common problem, so they will know what you want even if the terminology isn't exactly right.

You might have to get online to do it.

 

[Mr Nice]

This happened to me two years ago.

You need to have them put a "Fraud Alert" on your credit file.

Them after 90 days, you can call back and have all three agencies extend the fraud alert

 

[XS650]

That's the phrase I was trying to think of.

 

[Schmoe]

For ten bucks, you can close your credit reports to anyone. They give you a special pin number and you and only you can open them back up. Sure, it will cost you another ten bucks, but worth it to me for the peace.

 

[Solo2driver]

Thanks guys, I am now back in town....I will pursue this aggressively in the morning. Thanks!