Identity theft is when a fraudster steals your personal information to commit criminal acts such as making unauthorized purchases with your details. You might discover that you’ve been a target of identity theft when you notice business transactions on your account that you didn’t do or you’re expected to pay for loans you didn’t open.
In this article, we explore the different types of identity theft, how you can protect yourself from them, and what to do if you’re the victim of identity theft.
We’ll also look at when you should hire a lawyer to help you recover your losses and protect your interests.
What are Common Types of Identity Theft?
There are various types of identity theft to be aware of, with the most common being:
- Financial identity theft. A criminal uses your identity information to purchase goods/services in your name.
- Social security identity theft. Stealing your social security numbers enables criminals to receive medical benefits or apply for loans in your name.
- Medical identity theft. This is when an individual pretends to be you to gain medical benefits.
- Synthetic identity theft. A criminal mixes your real information and other fake information together to create a made-up identity they can use to steal money from lenders.
How Can You Prevent Identity Theft?
There are things you need to do to protect your personal information so that criminals can’t target you. Here are important ways in which to prevent identity theft from stealing your money and compromising your credit score.
Check All Your Accounts
On a regular basis, you should check that your credit card and bank accounts don’t display any odd or surprising purchases or transactions.
Watch out for small amounts that are taken from your account as these can occur before larger transactions. This is a trick fraudsters use to check if you notice the smaller amounts being stolen.
Stay Updated on Data Breaches
Keep up to date on data breaches affecting companies with which you have accounts so that you can change your passwords and check for any losses.
Verify Links You Receive
Be careful with links you receive in messages and emails, as they could be phishing attempts. Verify all links, such as by contacting the organization who sent them to find out if they’re authentic.
What Should You Do if You’re the Victim of Identity Theft?
If you’re dealing with identity theft, time is of the essence. You want to work quickly to report the incident to the authorities and recover your losses.
Report the Identity Theft
Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report the incident. This site also provides information on how you can regain your identity and recover losses.
Set Fraud Alerts
As soon as you discover the identity theft, place fraud alerts on all accounts to provide you with more security. These force you to have to confirm it’s really you before you can access your accounts, preventing further losses from the theft.
Fraud alerts also force creditors to identify your account before they open a new account in your name.
Get a Copy of Your Credit Report
Since some fraudsters will use your personal details to open accounts in your name, you want to check your credit report for any inaccurate or concerning changes. By doing this as soon as you suspect the identity theft, you can report the fraud and prevent the criminal activity from affecting your credit score.
Change Your Passwords
You shouldn’t just change the passwords for the accounts that have been compromised, but all accounts, including those for social media. This will prevent the criminals from trying to gain more access to your details and funds.
How Can a Lawyer Help You with Identity Theft?
Dealing with identity theft can be highly stressful, but a lawyer can help you through the process. On ContractsCounsel, an online legal network connecting clients with vetted lawyers, you can hire a lawyer with lots of experience in dealing with identity theft.
Here’s why seeking legal guidance is beneficial:
- Lawyers will report the identity theft.
- They’ll deal with any challenges you face when disputing the criminal activity on your accounts.
- They’ll help you to receive compensation for the theft.
- They’ll deal with all the paperwork, such as filing dispute letters.
- If you need to go to court for the identity theft, your lawyer will represent your case.
- Lawyers will help you explore your options. The state laws vary in terms of remedies for identity theft, so a lawyer will help you focus on your rights to strengthen your position.
While you don’t always need to contact a lawyer for identity theft, such as if you can resolve it by reporting it and disputing charges on your account, you should reach out to a lawyer if you’re dealing with a big expense, challenges with organizations disputing your transactions, and/or you need to take legal action against the theft.
What are Legal Actions for Identity Theft?
When dealing with identity theft, there are various legal actions that can be taken against the perpetrator.
- Civil lawsuits. Your lawyer will file a civil lawsuit against the criminal so you can be compensated. This works well in cases where you can identify the perpetrator responsible for the identity theft.
- Credit freeze and fraud alerts. Putting these on your accounts is a must to prevent any future instances of fraud.
- Suing the fraudster. Some states have identity theft laws that enable you to sue the identity theft perpetrators, but it can be challenging to find them. In some cases, your lawyer might be able to sue a business who disclosed your information. They have the skills and legal expertise to consider all your options.
Do you need an identity theft lawyer?
You should contact a lawyer on ContractsCounsel. You’ll work with a vetted, successful lawyer with years of experience in assisting clients with cases of identity fraud. This will help you explore the best options to take to deal with the fraud, giving you peace of mind throughout the process.
