Equifax needs more of my personal info to investigate?!!

[rmuse00]

I received response back from two disputes I made on-line regarding a "not mine" account and an old charge off. I received a letter stating that they needed one of each of two categories listed:

*Social Security Card *Driver's License

*Pay Stub with Social Sec Number *Rental Lease Agreement/House deed

*W2 Form *Pay stub with address

*Utility bill

How can they need to verify my identity when they did that to give me my credit report? I'm confused whether or not this is some sort of stall tactic or maybe at this point they cannot validate or verify my disputes? Has anyone else received this? Please advise what my next step should be. If I send one of each which would be the best to send. I am still very new to this process and will seek guidance from all you out there who have done such a great job of empowering all of us to take control of our financial background! Thanks again!

[rmuse00]

I received response back from two disputes I made on-line regarding a "not mine" account and an old charge off. I received a letter stating that they needed one of each of two categories listed:

*Social Security Card *Driver's License

*Pay Stub with Social Sec Number *Rental Lease Agreement/House deed

*W2 Form *Pay stub with address

*Utility bill

How can they need to verify my identity when they did that to give me my credit report? I'm confused whether or not this is some sort of stall tactic or maybe at this point they cannot validate or verify my disputes? Has anyone else received this? Please advise what my next step should be. If I send one of each which would be the best to send. I am still very new to this process and will seek guidance from all you out there who have done such a great job of empowering all of us to take control of our financial background! Thanks again!

[Methuss]

I've run into this before. It's primarily a stalling tactic (unless you have a fraud alert on your credit report). Actually, if you claimed "not mine" the CRA may have placed a courtesy fraud alert on your reports without you asking for it -- as they did to me.

Generally all they need to confirm your identity is your State issued driver's license with your current address on it. A copy of the SSN card is a load of hooey since it doesn't have any photographic or other identifying marks on it that could point to a specific person. Anyone with a typewriter can put a name and number on one of those cards.

If your current adress does not match your DL then you should provide a piece of mail, such as a utility bill to show you live at the new location.

[Methuss]

I've run into this before. It's primarily a stalling tactic (unless you have a fraud alert on your credit report). Actually, if you claimed "not mine" the CRA may have placed a courtesy fraud alert on your reports without you asking for it -- as they did to me.

Generally all they need to confirm your identity is your State issued driver's license with your current address on it. A copy of the SSN card is a load of hooey since it doesn't have any photographic or other identifying marks on it that could point to a specific person. Anyone with a typewriter can put a name and number on one of those cards.

If your current adress does not match your DL then you should provide a piece of mail, such as a utility bill to show you live at the new location.

[rmuse00]

Yes I did dispute "not mine" on a cap 1 credit card that I never saw and never charged on. Strange thing is that the amount shown as high balance is the same as my old charged off from Capitol 1 nonetheless it was never my account. So I disuputed "not mine". I will send DL shows current address.

Thanks!

[rmuse00]

Yes I did dispute "not mine" on a cap 1 credit card that I never saw and never charged on. Strange thing is that the amount shown as high balance is the same as my old charged off from Capitol 1 nonetheless it was never my account. So I disuputed "not mine". I will send DL shows current address.

Thanks!

[Methuss]

Interresting. I had heard little rumors about Cap One pulling a stunt where they try to revive a debt by transferring the balance to a new numbered account and trying to collect.

Providian did something similar by selling charged off and settled accounts to eMerge. eMerge then opened new credit account numbers with the balances they "bought."

[Methuss]

Interresting. I had heard little rumors about Cap One pulling a stunt where they try to revive a debt by transferring the balance to a new numbered account and trying to collect.

Providian did something similar by selling charged off and settled accounts to eMerge. eMerge then opened new credit account numbers with the balances they "bought."

[score booster]

And NEVER send a CRA a copied pay stub.

[workinninetofive]

And NEVER send a CRA a copied pay stub.

RIGHT!!!! or anything with any banking info.

[rmuse00]

Thanks I will keep in mind. I would not send banking but afraid to say I might have sent paystub. I value everyone's imput and it feels great to have the support and wisdom of this board!!!

[Methuss]

Just as an aside here...The amended FCRA defines what is adequate proof of identity. Section 609(e)(2)(a) specifies proof of identity as:

i. The presentation of a government issued identification card;

ii. Personally identifying information of the same type as was provided to the business entity by an unauthorized person; or

iii. personally identifying information that the business entity typically requests from new applicants or for new transactions ... including any documentation described in clauses i and ii.

Nothing in the FCRA says you have to give them utility bills, paystubs, or anything other than above as proof of identification.