Credit card fraud / Identity theft (rent, accounts, lawyer, business)

[tet tea]

Can anyone point me in the right direction???

I want to get my name taken off those pesky mailing lists. Yet another credit card application arrived in the mail today. I have no idea how they get my name as I am very careful with my information.

I'm sure someone out there has had the same problem.

BTW: Every piece of junk mail or paper with my address or personal info' on it I shred.

[Global Friend]

My boyfriend sends them back with the postage free envelope they provide saying not interested. I would try that and add a note, "take me off your mailing list".

[Redrover]

Here's a place that can give you the opt-out options you are looking for:

http://www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html

[tet tea]

Well, after watching the news today, it looks like some of those credit cards companies are finally getting a slap on the wrist Maybe now they'll quit sending me all that cr*p in the mail!
Can you believe it .... while typing this a popup window from Citibank just invaded my monitor. I even have popup blocker

[recycled]

Many magazines sell subscriber lists to marketing agencies. Most magazines besides generic news titles target specific interest groups. So anybody interested in selling stuff to a specific interest group goes in search of magazine subscription lists. If you ask a magazine to not sell or provide your name to any other company or organization, that would cut down on the circulation of personal info to mailing lists that you don't want to be on.

[tet tea]

I don't even subscribe to any magazines, but thanks for the info'. Useful to know for the future.

[rubytue]

https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t That is run by the credit companies and will get you off prescreened credit card offers for 5 years. It has the phone number to call to get off permanently.

As for magazines, I usually sign up with a fake name. Rather than use Ruby Tuesday, I use Rachel Tuesday, Rebecca Tuesday, etc. This theory helps me presceen other junk mail. If it comes to Rachel or Rebecca, I know its someone who sold my name.

I had a brush with identiy theft several years back. Someone used my ssn to open up an ETrade account for money laundering. I thought it was taken care of at the time and never saw anything crazy on my credit. Five years later my brokarge canceled all my accounts and froze my assets over it. That took a lot of stress and lawyers fees to straighten out. Identity theft sucks!

[FLPL75]

when I worked for a credit card company they told us the "hottest" mailing list to buy was blockbusters.
they were then able to target certian "demographics"
want 25 to 35 yr old men who watch action films no problem
40 to 50 yr old women who rent allot of romantic comidies no problem

I signed my husband and myself with the "opt out" and the junk mail has reduced greatly. Companies you do business with are still allowed to "send you offers"

[AksarbeN]

To my knowledge most every state, county, and large city in this country allows the “record access” by anyone who cares to view them. Yes,,, when you are registered for voting I can view all the information about you. When you own or are buying a home I can view the information about you. Identity theft is running ramped and only a few states have passed laws to prevent others from viewing the records that they have on their citizens. In most cases the records are “sold” to companies who then access this information for a fee. Why can states, counties, and large cities allow this personal information to be sold, ~ because they make a buck with giving out your name address and personal information.

[plmokn]

Fighting ID theft: An alternative to Social Security numbers? - latimes.com