Home Staging Blog by Jennie Norris

This past week, I had some alarming news!  I DIED in 2006!  I know there are some people that may have wanted me dead a time or two (LOL) but WOW! Here's what happened . . .

I was doing a check on some erroneous data on my credit report and found that this credit card that I have not had in use since 2003 was showing a balance due and many late dings.  When I called the credit issuer, I was told at first that their records showed I had assumed payments for someone that died.  When I said, "Uh - no - and please send me to your fraud department," upon digging deeper, it turns out that I was the person that was DEAD!

I had to ask - "What did I die from?"  And "Is my husband still alive?"  "Did we collect on my insurance policy?" - making light of the situation is one way to deal with it - but truly it sort of rattled me a bit.  They had me as dead in 2006 - reported to them by someone else. Who?  I don't know.  The fact that they believed it - is alarming too.  I wonder if this was someone that wanted to take my social security number - if I was dead - it could go to someone else.  Their records showed I had no balance - but the reporting agencies showed a different picture - which is easy to straighten out IF you have the correct info.  I took care of it on my end, but I started thinking about what else I could do to make sure I am protected.

So, I have signed on for a fraud protection service through www.equifax.com.  It is about $5 per month, and they will alert me to any activity on my credit and with my social security info.  Also, I was able to go to an 800# that lets me opt out of any unauthorized pulling of my credit - which happens to any of us that are getting those free solicitations in the mail - giving you credit, credit cards, and special loans.  Every time they send you these freebies, that means they have pulled your credit!  This puts a ding on your credit - it shows too many inquiries which can hurt you if you are trying to refinance.  I get these for my business as well - so any of us business owners - our credit is being pulled without our permission!  It can stop if YOU personally call to opt out.

Word to the wise - protect yourself, or you could end up DEAD (metaphorically speaking) - and your personal info may end up giving life to some low-life scum that would assume your identity!

- Jennie