Identity Theft

[Tuckervill]

Thanks guys! That is exactly what I am looking for! But, if the fraud alerts will create other problems, what is the liklihood someone finds and uses your personal info. when they steal your computer, vs just cleaning the hard drive and selling it?

Put the fraud alerts on, and assume they sold your laptop anyway.

My husband's laptop was stolen with a lot of other stuff in Detroit in August. I immediately put the fraud alerts on (he doesn't keep our financial records on there, but I was being cautious). I put on a 90-day alert. If you have to apply for credit during that 90 days, they will call you. However, some credit grantors will automatically deny your application if they find out a fraud alert has been put on your account. That could be a hassle, but i figure I can do without that extra 10% store credit for 90 days.

The Detroit police said the laptop was likely dismantled into parts and up on ebay before my DH even discovered the theft. The hard drive was likely wiped, but it has occurred where someone found data on hard drives sold as new on ebay. So, you don't want the eventual buyer to find your data, either.

Change all your passwords--paypal, ebay, wherever else you go that has a financial slant. Change your email passwords, too.

It's going to be very inconvenient for a long time, because you won't remember everything you lost on it right away. I'm sorry this happened. It really sucks. They even stole my husbands underwear!

Karen