From How to Get Out of Debt

As tax season rolls around it’s no surprise to see tax refund check cashing schemes arising in the news. Announced Monday was the filing of a criminal Information charging defendants Wilson Lau, and his wife, Kate Yuee Lau, for their participation in a check cashing scheme involving more than $5 million in fraudulently obtained tax [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Tax Refund Check Cashing Scheme Hits Southern Florida

From How to Get Out of Debt

Charges were announced last Thursday against seven members of an identity theft ring that allegedly used stolen identities of more than 180 people at major New York City retail stores including Home Depot, Sears, Kmart and Kohl’s, among others. The ring of fraudsters resold merchandise and gift cards for a profit after purchasing them under [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Elaborate Scheme Leaves 180 With Over $1 Million In Fraudulent Purchases

From How to Get Out of Debt

Those that are superstitious often view Friday the 13th as an unlucky day. This past friday, January 13th, members of an identity theft ring received some unlucky news when they were sentenced to prison. Contrary to superstition, this was a very lucky day for future victims that could have fallen into their web of lies [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Friday The 13th: Unlucky For Fraudsters, Lucky For Potential Victims

From How to Get Out of Debt

My parents used my name and SSN number when getting cable and some other things. They have balances that have not been paid. I am only 19 and they did it when I was 14. Now my credit score is poor. How can I resolve this to fix my credit score. How do I fix [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Parents Stole My SSN When I Was a Kid. Now I Have Bad Credit. – Sophia

From How to Get Out of Debt

Janika Fernae Bates, a resident of Alabama, was sentenced today in the Middle District of Alabama to 94 months in federal prison for stealing identities of student loan borrowers and providing them to a co-conspirator, who used them to file false tax returns, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. On Sept. 23, [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Woman Sentenced For Stealing Identities Of Student Loan Borrowers

From How to Get Out of Debt

I believe a friend of mine has become my identity theft, but i cannot prove it. That is why i want to drive down to atlanta GA. and get a copy of my credit report, and is there somewhere i can take my computer and find out if its been tampered with and how i [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Im being scammed by a friend! – Gash

From How to Get Out of Debt

An identity thief was sentenced earlier this month to 12 years in prison for managing and east coast credit card fraud ring. Jonathan Oliveras, used counterfeit credit cards encoded with stolen account information up and down the East Coast of the United States and has been sentenced for this crime. In addition to his 12 [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: East Coast Credit Card Fraud Ringleader Gets 12 Years In Prison

From How to Get Out of Debt

On December 13, 2011 it was announced that a federal grand jury returned a 102-count indictment against ten Ohio men (ages ranging from 21 to 33) with crimes of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Clifford J. Smith (“CJ”), Musa Nassar, Jon Foster, Donte Stewart, Billy St. Clair, [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: 102-Count Indictment Charges 10 Ohio Men To Fraud, Fraud And More Fraud

From How to Get Out of Debt

One time is too many when identity theft is involved, and two times in a week a big flashing warning sign that something is seriously wrong. Last week my wife received a text message saying our cell phone bill was $1,000 this month! Of course that proceeded the panicked phone call that I received from [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: One Time Is Too Many With Identity Theft

From How to Get Out of Debt

And AGAIN, a criminal thought he could commit the same crime he had already committed and gotten jailed for. Former inmate, Danwine Dewayne Renard, was sentenced to a 144 month term in prison following his plea of guilty to participating in an identity theft scheme while incarcerated. Renard has also been ordered to pay 122,943.72 [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Former Inmate Sentenced To More 12 Years For Schemes From Behind Bars

From How to Get Out of Debt

A former manager of a McDonald’s restaurant in Savannah, Georgia was sentenced last month to 32 months in prison for her role in a scheme to sell the stolen identities of United States citizens to employees within the McDonald’s restaurant chain. The former McDonald’s manager, Eva Ramos’, guilty plea and sentencing hearings revealed that Ramos, [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: McDonald’s Manager Selling Stolen US Citizen Identities To Employees

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, I became disabled in 1993, and opened a bank account, purchased lfe insurance with Union Fidelity and 17 years later, with an immaculate payment record, and 750 credit record, the process for an unauthwith Unionorized draft on my bank, has crippled me, as I have not been able to work, and for two [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Financial Hardship Installment Loan. – Tracy

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, I’m only twenty years old. I have had one loan with a secure agency. My mother has awful money problems and has went as far as filing my taxes and not telling me to get my money. With that being said I have gotten two phone calls this month from two different numbers [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Mother May Have Opened a Credit Card in My Name. – Paige

From How to Get Out of Debt

Three New York residents were charged last week with an indictment charging them with conspiracy, bank fraud and identity theft offenses related to an alleged participation in an ATM “skimming” scheme across southern New England. Gabriela Graham and two citizens of Turkey, Mehmet Aydin and Ahmet Cilek, were each charged with one count of conspiracy [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Three Plea Not Guilty In Skimming Scam Across Southern New England

From How to Get Out of Debt

Three defendants have been sentenced to federal prison on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft; one man committing fraud from prison. According to United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: In late January 2011, Samantha Johnson stole the wallet of a 93-year-old woman while she was [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: If At First You Don’t Succeed, Commit Fraud and Fail Again : Defrauding From Behind Bars

From How to Get Out of Debt

Amanda Miller’s list of “People I Wouldn’t Suspect of Fraud” just keeps on growing week in and week out! Amongst the already listed TSA employee, postal carrier, United Nations employee and firefighter I now introduce to the list: a newspaper deliveryman. A guilty plea was announced last week by Andre Tyler, a Maryland newspaper deliveryman, [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Newspaper Deliveryman Makes Amanda Miller’s List Of “People I Wouldn’t Suspect Of Fraud”

From How to Get Out of Debt

It’s often not a parent’s first thought to check the credit report of their minor child, however, it may now become a necessity. Not because a child may fraudulently be using credit without their parents’ knowledge but because scammers may have stolen their unused Social Security number and identity. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) put [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: True Cradle Robbers – Stealing Credit From The Cradle

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, I had a “friend” steal my info years ago (along with ex i’m hiding from) she has used it through the years! I had to bankrupt $50k + and still haven’t been able to get apts, credit, house, nothing! I recently got a suspension on my D.License because of her.. She murdered some [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: I Went to Jail for Larceny Committed by Someone That Stole My Identity. – Kam

From How to Get Out of Debt

After being convicted on July 5, 2011, Vicente Bilora Mbenga of Maryland, has been sentenced to six years in prison, three years supervised release after and an owed restitution of $27,218.06 for committing bank fraud and running an identity theft scheme. According to court documents and evidence presented at Mbenga’s trial, he participated in a [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Maryland Fraudster Gets 6 Years In Prison For Bank Fraud And Identity Theft Scheme

From How to Get Out of Debt

Someone used my name and I’m now getting informed about me owing for a bowflex that I never ordered and I didn’t even live at the State it was sent to. I have been in the Navy since 2003 to 2007 towards the end of my enlistment someone used my social and ordered a Bowflex [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: When I Was in the Navy Someone Used My Name and Social Security Number to Buy a Bowflex. – Roberto

From How to Get Out of Debt

Ever wonder how effective tearing up an unwanted credit card offer is? Many will just tear it in half, or even tiny pieces, throw it in the garbage and never think of it again. However, how easy would it be for a criminal to get a hold of your garbage and tape it back together? [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: The Effectiveness Of Tearing Up Unwanted Credit Card Offers

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Jeremy, Indenity theft 10 years ago 3 cards. (I had a house for sale in a another city. They got my mail. They changed my address back to that house) One I paid off. Someone used my card I already taken out. and I could prove that I did not use it. I was [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Identity Was Stolen and Collection is Trying to Get Money From Me That I Never Owed. – Barbara

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, I just had a legal hold put on my bank account. Upon contacting Rubin & Rothman, LLC., who issued the “Information Subpoena and Restraining Notice”, I have come to find out that they are representing a debt collection agency that alleges that I owe a debt from a credit card opened in 2000. [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: I Was Sued by Rubin & Rothman and My Bank Account Was Seized for a Credit Card They Say I Took Out When I Was 12 – Bren

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, My present husband and I have been married since 2001. When we got married we merged our 2 households resulting in 8 children to care for. By 2003 we had collected $100,000 in unsecured debt. We were able to resolve this debt with the help of my father. My father loaned us the [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: I Was a Victim of CCDN, Identity Theft, and Illness. What Now? – Kim

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, Being sued by Capital one for $6500 and have 21 days to answer. My wife opened this account in my name without my consent or knowledge. She was making payment without my knowledge until I lost my job in the automotive and she wasn’t able to make any more payments and the ugly [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: I’m Being Sued for a Capital One Account My Wife Opened in My Name. – Gerald

From How to Get Out of Debt

I suppose this story has more to do with the issues surrounding a free market and supply and demand than anything else. Otherwise how can you explain the reality it is cheaper to buy someone else’s credit card details than it is for a debt settlement company to pay for leads or new clients. A [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: It’s Cheaper to Buy Fake Credit Cards Than Debt Settlement Leads

From How to Get Out of Debt

My husband and I have legally been seperated for three years; May of 2010 my husband rented a tool from home depot in my name, yet he signed for it. Home depot has been harassing me for payment, I explained to them I never rented such a tool. I requested that they review the video [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Can I Be Sued for My Husband’s Debts? – Linda

From How to Get Out of Debt

The Federal Trade Commission has created a guide to help attorneys and victim advocates provide legal assistance to identity theft victims. Geared toward resolving issues out of court, the Guide for Assisting Identity Theft Victims describes how advocates can intervene with creditors, credit reporting agencies, debt collectors, and others, as well as self-help measures that [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Legal Assistance Guide for Identity Theft Victims

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, A few years ago, the person whom I shared my college post office box with stole my identity and opened several cards in my name, most of which were charged off later. To this point I have been able to have all of them removed from my report except Capital One. Although Equifax [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My College PO Box Buddy Stole My Identity. – Crystal

From How to Get Out of Debt

Nikki wrote to me through the GetOutOfDebt.org site and asked the following question. If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free. Income from the GetOutOfDebt.org site advertising is used to help alleviate poverty. If you would like to [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: I Had A+ Credit Until My Identity Was Stolen. – Nikki

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, I was married to a man that was our sole supporter for 18 years, we seperated and he kept the house. 3 years later when he died i realized that he racked up over 40k in debt in cc’s and loans in my name that i did not know about. we also had [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Ex-Husband Stole My Identity and Ran Up Debt. – Veronica

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, My mother has opened at least 30 accounts in my name and stolen my identity. She put the wrong birth year on all accounts, but put the right information. I still live with her and have nowhere else to go until i become eligible to join the military service. I dont know what [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Mother Stole My Identity and Opened 30 Credit Accounts in My Name. – Darryl

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, About 3-4 years ago estimated time, my mother had given me her verbal permission to get credit in her name, she never said how much credit I could take out, she said I want you to build credit, so I am fine with you having credit cards in my name with you as [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Mother Said I Could Take Credit Out in Her Name and Now Denies It. – Garry

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, One month after my wife passed away I received a bill from a credit card company. I have never applied for a credit card and never used one. She had applied for this in my name without my knowledge. Am I responsible for this $5000 debt? Jasper” The Answer: Dear Jasper, First off, [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Wife Took Credit Out in My Name and Then Died. – Jasper

From How to Get Out of Debt

Think your money and peace of mind are safe from thieves? Think again. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing types of robbery today. As many as 300,000 people are defrauded each year by crooks using stolen identities. Guess who ends up paying for the millions of dollars that stores and lending institutions lose [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself and What to Do If You Are a Victim

From How to Get Out of Debt

Sam wrote to me through the GetOutOfDebt.org site and asked the following question. If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free. Income from the GetOutOfDebt.org site advertising is used to help alleviate poverty. If you would like to [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Citibank in Bahrain Won’t Help Me With Fraudulent Charges on My Credit Card – Sam

From How to Get Out of Debt

Excerpts from a great article out of Phoenix that you need to read if you are interested in LifeLock. Apparently not only does the service not work but the guarantee they use to promise to protect customers is full of holes as well. Most telling was the fact that CEP Todd Davis has had his [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: LifeLock CEO Has Identity Stolen 13 Times While Promising in Ads That LifeLock Protects Your Credit

From How to Get Out of Debt

Bobbi wrote to me through the GetOutOfDebt.org site and asked the following question. If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free. Income from the GetOutOfDebt.org site advertising is used to help alleviate poverty. If you would like to [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: I’m a Victim of Credit Fraud By My Husband. We Are Now Divorced. – Bobbi

From How to Get Out of Debt

Beth wrote to me through the GetOutOfDebt.org site and asked the following question. If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free. Income from the GetOutOfDebt.org site advertising is used to help alleviate poverty. If you would like to [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Mother Keeps Taking Out Credit in My Name. – Beth

From How to Get Out of Debt

Out of Wyckoff, new Jersey comes the standard story of credit card impostors using fake cards to buy merchandise. What made me chuckle about this story was what the crooks took as they fled the drug store after a declined purchase using one of the fake cards. According to police, the same men returned yesterday, [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Identity Thieves Flee Walgreens Without Credit Card But Grab Condoms and Greeting Card on the Way Out

From How to Get Out of Debt

Photo Credit: Sappymoosetree An identity theft ring just busted in California got the information on victims to open fake credit accounts in their name from a local dentist office where an employee was giving the identity theft ring dental claim forms which contained the patients’ names, addresses, dates of birth and social security numbers. And [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Dentist Office Leads to Identity Theft Idiot in Law Office

From How to Get Out of Debt

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that attorneys from the office’s Consumer Protection Section have reached a settlement with Donald Sterling Whitlock (DOB: 5/6/1970) that secured full restitution for the victims of his elaborate identity theft and commercial-lending scheme. The State had originally also charged his wife Erin Whitlock in the scam but she [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Colorado Attorney General Reaches Settlement With Identity Theft Scammer

From How to Get Out of Debt

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – Authorities say they’ve cut off a major identity theft operation. The suspects are from New York City, but a significant portion of the alleged crimes were committed here in western New York and involve massive cash advance withdrawals at Seneca Casinos. Authorities say this case could involve hundreds of out-of-state [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Casino Part of Identity Theft Case Involving Cash Advances

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, My credit was ruined in early 2004 when I was in a coma and my husband had decided to leave me, take the money and not pay the bills. I lose everything, home, car, credit and any insurance money he spent. So I had started over from nothing. I have now found out [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Mother Opened Credit in My Name While I Was in a Coma

From How to Get Out of Debt

Here’s a scam I had not heard of before. This one is from Wales and the United Kingdom. A NIGERIAN gang which stole the identities of dead babies and then plundered bank accounts set up in their name was jailed yesterday. The gang of three, two men and a woman, stole 44 separate identities over [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Scammers Use Dead Babies Identities to Ripoff Banks

From How to Get Out of Debt

Mirellys wrote to me through the GetOutOfDebt.org site and asked the following question. If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free. Income from the GetOutOfDebt.org site advertising is used to help alleviate poverty. If you would like to [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Mother Stole My Identity And Has Not Paid the $5,000 Now Due. I’m 20 and Pregnant. – Mirellys

From How to Get Out of Debt

This case comes out of North Carolina and fell against a collection company called Credigy Receivables. What makes this a story worth reading is the extent at which Credigy Receivables really screwed up on properly collecting on the debt of a woman named Blanche Whittington. It might take a few minutes to get through all [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: Debt Collector Credigy Receivables Has to Pay Woman $26,000.

From How to Get Out of Debt

According to TMZ, former American Idol contestant Chikezie Eze was just busted by Beverly Hills Police for using a stolen credit card to attempt to buy some cologne at Neiman Marcus. According to Chikezie it is all a misunderstanding but the Beverly Hills Police don’t seem to see it that way. Chikezie is out on [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: American Idol Contestent Busted for Felony Identity Theft

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, A family member (father) owned a business that I helped operate for a short period of time. My sister worked in the office at this time. I was given a AMEX business credit card with the business and my name on it. Eventually, my father retired and closed the business. Soon there after, [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: I Was Given an AMEX Card With The Business and My Name On It. – John

From How to Get Out of Debt

“Dear Steve, My child took a student aid loan in 1996. I was contacted today by a collection agency stating that they will garnish my soc.sec.disability check if this loan is not paid. I did not take this loan out even though it is in my name. The collector stated that I must press charges [...]

Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click here: My Social Security Check Will Be Garnished for a Student Loan I Did Not Take Out. – Verna