Stolen Nursing License!!!!

[dory123]

I just found out that there is a great possibility that someone is using my nursing license number. This person is working through an agency and using my full name -DOB- and even has pics from my Facebook page. The pics are of my family not me. This is so weird! I can't understand how this can happen. Usually agencies have a rigorous process and they should verify the license, social, and ID right? Should I call the agency? Should I call the police? Will anyone verify with me over the phone? How can I find out the places of employment where my license is active? I have been a nurse for under a year and I have never faced anything like this before. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

[quazar]

Freeze your credit IMMEDIATELY. Report this to the agency and the board of nursing. Call the big 3 credit bureaus and notify them that you are most likely the victim of identity theft. Disable your FB profile and change your passwords to EVERYTHING. Here, this should help:

Identity Theft Guide | Clark Howard

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Have you reported your findings to the BON? Probably a good place to start. Then I would run a credit check- if they can get your nursing license number, DOB, and Facebook pictures, they may have other information that they are using. After all, a social security number is required to apply for many jobs.

[dory123]

I just found out Sunday and I am going to call the BON today. It is frightening! The only reason I found out was through a friend of a friend of a friend that so happened to remember her saying my not so common name. Also my last name is hyphenated so they called the friend who called me. I am wondering if they are using a different social shouldn't the agency verify that compared to the license number?

[missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN]

Definitely call them asap. This person has not only stolen your identity, but she is also practicing nursing without a license. Could you imagine what could or might happen. That's a scary prospect.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

1) freeze all your credit card accounts AND those of your family.

2). stop using any social networks now. Even better, ask them for your accounts to be destroyed. Use internet at work, or in a public library.

3). Get cash from bank for at least a couple of weeks. Then freeze your checking account.

4). Call police and report the situation today.

5). Call BON; if necessary, go there in person. Tell them everything.

6). Call your phone/internet provider, explain situation. They will have to delete your accounts and start new one.

7). Contact all online retailers you used over the last year and ask to freeze accounts and report all activity to the police.

8). Call your pharmacy and alert them that they have to call police if anyone tries to fill a script under your name.

9). Set credit card protection.

10). DO NOT call agency. It is police business; give them full information.

11). Ask police, as soon as they start investigation, what you should do with your SSN. There is a chance that you will have to change it.

12). change all your passwords, emails, etc. AFTER police begins its job.

From one who survived identity threft.

Regarding how it happened - that nice question of a cute store attendant "and can I please know your email and phone number so you can be added to our new amazing savings program?" can lead directly to all that if you pay with a credit card. One's landline, email and postal address or even zip code plus any credit card number = opportunity to hack any of your information stored electronically unless special protection measures are employed, and hardly any US health care facility except FDA, CDC and other such uses high-level protection.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

You can use your Internet at home but you must change the router pasword before you do...many people do not and leave it as it comes, which is admin....so you must change it and make sure if you indeed are using a wireless network that it too is password protected.