I called in to lift the freeze on my credit report so the attorneys can review them when the time comes. Also, I was put through to the fraud department (to place a security alert on there since the freeze was going to be lifted). This keeps anyone from taking credit out in my name (good luck with that!) while the freeze is lifted temporarily. During the conversation about the security alert, I mentioned that someone had used my debit card fraudulently a few months ago, at which point the person asked me where I banked (where the fraud occurred). Like an idiot, I told him. There was something in his tone that was off -- he asked me to repeat the name of the bank and to spell it. After I hung up, I realized, no other credit reporting agency had ever asked me where I banked when I asked for a security alert. I called back the same credit reporting agency a few days later, and asked the next person whether that was standard practice -- to ask where I bank. I was told it was not. She explained it away by saying, 'oh, he's a supervisor and probably doesn't handle these kinds of inquiries (fraud inquiries) often'. She checked the alert and my credit report and said there was no mention of my bank anywhere.
Two things about this make no sense: 1) Why was I transferred to a 'supervisor' in the security alert department in the first place (during the first call); and 2) why is it a supervisor who works in that department doesn't know the procedures?
Here's what I think. I think I was transferred to a supervisor because when they pulled up my report they saw I wasn't paying creditors. And I think that supervisor may have 'shared' my banking information with a few of his buddies. What do you think? The person I spoke to yesterday seemed taken aback when I said that other person had asked where I bank.
Other weirdness. The calls have stopped. I have been getting calls every single day, several times per day for months, but nothing yesterday and today. I did NOT tell the other creditors that I have hired anyone or to not call. I only wrote to the debt collecting law firm used by American Express, and told them not to call. So there is only one explanation, which is that they are sharing info with the other creditors. They probably have some database.
The credit reporting agencies all seem to be sharing as well. I notified one that I wanted a security alert, and they automatically notified the other two.
Two things about this make no sense: 1) Why was I transferred to a 'supervisor' in the security alert department in the first place (during the first call); and 2) why is it a supervisor who works in that department doesn't know the procedures?
Here's what I think. I think I was transferred to a supervisor because when they pulled up my report they saw I wasn't paying creditors. And I think that supervisor may have 'shared' my banking information with a few of his buddies. What do you think? The person I spoke to yesterday seemed taken aback when I said that other person had asked where I bank.
Other weirdness. The calls have stopped. I have been getting calls every single day, several times per day for months, but nothing yesterday and today. I did NOT tell the other creditors that I have hired anyone or to not call. I only wrote to the debt collecting law firm used by American Express, and told them not to call. So there is only one explanation, which is that they are sharing info with the other creditors. They probably have some database.
The credit reporting agencies all seem to be sharing as well. I notified one that I wanted a security alert, and they automatically notified the other two.
Comment