Help Mercer Finish School & Defeat Identity Theft

TLDR; someone stole my identity, and now, I cannot register for my final semester or graduate from my MSW this fall.

Dear friends and loved ones,

Something very scary and violating has occurred, and I am deeply in need of your support.

It has come to my attention and dismay that somebody (most likely in Encino, CA) has stolen my identity. They (more than likely "she") opened at least THREE separate banking or credit accounts which have accumulated thousands in outstanding payments. They have also attempted to deposit tens of thousands of dollars of fraudulent checks as well to one account in my name. Worst of all, they are using a fake identity in California with my name and birthday.

I do not know how this happened or when they obtained my information as I am extremely careful about my personal documents and cyber security.

I have taken every route to report and depict the fraudulent transactions to whom I must; however, I have hit a dead end. These account disputes are either pending or have ruled that I am legitimately at fault because of the fake identification they're using (just to reiterate: I am not at fault nor have I even been to that part of CA). 

For this, there is an increasingly high possibility that I cannot pay my tuition for my Spring or Summer semesters of graduate school. FAFSA is denying me my loan because of "my" credit, so I cannot graduate.

For those who are unaware, I graduated from Georgia State in 2019 with a B.Sc in public policy with a Spanish minor cum laude, and I have been pursuing a Master of Social Work with a policy concentration through Fordham University since Fall 2021. I have maintained around a 3.8 GPA and am currently interning at a non-profit assisting parents get baby and menstrual products all over the state. I am bilingual and am currently working on a third language, and I use interpretation services at my internship as well.

I hope to eventually work in immigration policy and advocacy by using my education and skillset, and I am trying my absolute best not to let some stranger get in my way (or discourage me during the process). 

The only criminal record I have is one speeding ticket that I got the same week at my car wreck leaving me with a broken wrist and no vehicle last summer. 

After two auto accidents, losing my car and mobility in my wrist, dealing with no heat during a winter freeze, and now the possibility of my final semester being postponed, I am here asking for your help. The last year has been extremely challenging to say the least, but it does not come with ease to be outrightly vulnerable like I am in this moment.

I have debated for several weeks to make a Go Fund Me as I am aware that it has been used for emergencies all over the world. I am aware I chose to pursue a graduate program through Fordham and that this is not necessarily anyone's problem but my own. You do not HAVE to donate. You do not HAVE to share this post, but I appreciate any and all support more than you realize. I assure you it will not go to waste.

I have completely and independently pursued my dreams of assisting immigrants in the U.S., but this violating scheme could postpone everything for which I have worked. 

Thank you for reading this far if you have. I am hoping to look forward to my MSW graduation in the fall and to walk at Fordham receiving my diploma. 

Lastly thank you to any and all who have heard me cry, scream, and vent over the last two months. This is incredibly scary, and I feel extremely vulnerable asking this favor of you all. My community, my family, and my loving spouse have lifted me higher than anything i could've imagined; I genuinely don't know how I would've survived the last year without you. Thank you a million.