I have a credit monitoring service that was provided to me for free when my workplace's computer system was compromised. I'm sure many of you have had a similar thing happen at some point.
Anyways, via this monitoring service I received a notification yesterday that a credit card was opened in my name at Chase. I have no open Chase cards and did not do this. I tracked it down, had Chase close it as a fradulent application, and put a credit alert on my name via Equifax. Chase wouldn't give me much information about the application, but did indicate that my SS# was used; they are performing and investigation and will get back to me.
I have two questions:
1. With regards to this particular event, is there anything else I should do to ensure the safety of my credit/money/identity, etc...? I have read that I could file a police report and then try to get an extended (7 year) credit alert placed with the credit agencies.
2. Generally as a mustachian with a reasonable sized stache in progress, what should all of us be doing to protect our futures? This is particularly in response to the risk of identity theft, having accounts hacked, insurance to cover worst-case-scenarios, etc...
Thanks!
Case