Someone's using my mom's name and SS# for their electric util. acct in FL.

[henslee]

Just found out. What do I do first? The power company wants to investigate but I'd rather not tip the crooks off before I call cops. My mom has been plagued with phantom credit problems in past. Any advice?

[Fleshdancer]

1. ouch

I guess if it were me, I would contact a lawyer asap. My guess is they could advise you on the best way to handle the situation.

[bridgit]

yup, identity theft is not to be taken lightly...

[Beaverhausen]

2. She can get a free credit report

http://www.freecreditreport.com/

and see if they have any other accounts in her name

[radwriter0555]

3. Well first, what crime has actually been committed? Check and see if

the account has been placed on your mother's credit report first.

Let the power company handle it, since they contacted you, but if no actual crime has been committed that is causing your mother harm, then it's not a big deal yet.

The cops can't really do anything... other than check and see if the people have ids listed with your mom's name on them. That would be illegal.

Also then, have your mom put a fraud alert on her credit file. She'll have to work directly with the credit reporting agencies to do this. I think Experian is the more tangible agency to deal with.

A fraud alert works by forcing the credit reporting agency to make contact with your mom before any one can ever get any type of credit in her name again -- including her.

Also, get IN WRITING that the power co will remove the item from your mother's credit report. Beg them, plead with them, make them PROMISE that they will remove it from her report...

After that, good luck...

[henslee]

4. Problem solved. My sleazy real estate cousin unautorizedly used mom's i.d.

for a property she owns. Talk about gall.