​Password Security
Create strong, unique passwords for online accounts to help prevent identity theft. Avoid easily guessable passwords and consider using a password manager to securely track of your credentials.
 
Be Wary of Phishing Scams - These Especially Target The Elderly - And Verify Communications
Phishing scams are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to steal personal information.  Phishing scams often target the elderly because of their vulnerability and relative unfamiliarity with new technologies. 
Phishing scams are not just limited to emails and malicious links, but can also occur by email, phone, text message. Be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls asking for sensitive data. Verify the legitimacy of the sender before sharing any personal details. 

Phishing scams usually involve cybercriminals pretending to from your bank, a creditor, utility provider, financial institution, or a governmental entity to obtain personal information from you.

• If you receive a text message alert or notification, verify that the alert or notification is indeed from your bank or credit company by checking the number and contacting the bank or credit company for further verification.  
• If you receive an email purporting to be from one of the above, verify that sender's email address is indeed from your bank or financial institution and then contact your bank or financial institution for further verification.  
• If you receive a phone call purporting to be from one of the above, you can simply hang up and call back using a phone number belonging to the company or governmental authority for further verification.

Secure Your Devices
Ensuring the security of your devices is essential to protect against identity theft.  Be sure to keep your software up to date, enable firewalls and antivirus software, and avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.  Instead, you can use personal hotspots with strong passwords and be sure to turn off visibility or sharing settings like Airdrop and bluetooth.

If you have a Wi-Fi network at home, you should set up guest networks so that nobody except you can use your personal network.
 
Conclusion
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent identity theft. However, it is better to be safe than sorry when you someone asks for your personal information or you suspect suspect identity theft, or a phishing scam. By understanding the risks, securing your personal information, monitoring your accounts, strengthening your passwords, being vigilant against phishing scams, and securing your devices, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to identity theft. 
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Identity theft can impact your credit report in several ways and can be devastating to your credit.  Identity theft can result in fraudulent accounts that you did not open, and that do not belong to you, appearing on your credit report.  Identity theft can also result in fraudulent charges that you did not authorize, or incur, appearing on your credit report.   Regardless of the type of identity theft involved, the end result is the same on your credit report: inaccurate information about your personal credit history, credit accounts, and account balances is being reported.  

Types Of Identity Theft:

• Fraudulent Accounts: an identity thief can obtain your personal information such as social security number, date of birth, and address(es) and use this information to open one or more fraudulent accounts.
  
• Fraudulent Charges: an identity thief can obtain your account or banking information and use this information to purchase goods or services or to send money from one of your accounts.  This type of fraud is sometimes referred to as account takeover.

What To Do About Identity Theft:
If you are an identity theft victim, there are several things you can do to protect yourself and your credit report such as:

1. Notifying the credit reporting agencies about the identity theft and fraud.  The credit agencies can place a credit freeze on your credit reports to prevent further misuse of your personal information.  The credit freeze restricts access to your credit reports. When you wish to apply for credit, you will be able to request that the freeze be lifted by contacting the credit reporting agency.
2. Make a police report.  You should report the identity theft to your local police department and obtain a report number.
3. Obtain an Identity Theft Affidavit and Identity Theft Report from the FTC.  An Identity Theft Report detailing the identity theft will be necessary to effectively dispute fraudulent items on your credit report. 
4.   Consider a credit monitoring service.  A credit monitoring service can help alert you to any unusual activity or requests regarding your personal credit information or credit accounts. 
5. Notify banks or other financial institutions of the identity theft and fraud.  It is imperative to notify all banks, credit card companies, or financial institutions where the fraud occurred so that these accounts can be flagged for fraud and shut down. 
6. Dispute identity theft credit report errors.  If there are fraudulent accounts or fraudulent charges being reported on your credit report due to identity theft, you should dispute these credit report errors.  Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the dispute process requires that you contact the credit reporting agencies to dispute credit report errors.  You can dispute information on your credit report in writing or online, but we recommend that you submit your dispute in writing and with as much detail as possible.  Be sure to include copies of all supporting documentation, including any police reports, your Identity Theft Affidavit and Identity Theft Report.  Be sure to send your dispute with tracking or other delivery confirmation. The credit reporting agencies will usually forward your dispute all furnishers of account information for disputed accounts/information on your credit report.  If the credit reporting agencies fail to correct your credit report within 30 days of your dispute, you are able to file a lawsuit in court against the credit reporting agencies and furnishers. 

We have helped countless consumers recover damages under the FCRA for inaccurate credit reporting. Our attorneys are accomplished litigators and published authors in consumer protection litigation.  If you are the victim of identity theft and your credit report has been affected, please contact us for a free phone or Zoom consultation by using the contact form below.  

​Safeguarding Your Credit Report: How an Identity Theft Lawyer Can Protect You
Knowledge And Understanding Of Credit Reporting And Identity Theft Laws
Identity theft occurs when someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal information for fraudulent purposes such as opening fraudulent accounts or making fraudulent charges. Identity theft often impacts credit reports since the fraudulent accounts are reported on your credit report.  In response to the increasing prevalence of identity theft, there are several state and federal laws to help victims of identity theft recover.  An identity theft lawyer is a legal professional who represents individuals who have been victims of identity theft and who can help you dispute identity theft on your credit report.
The Role of an Identity Theft Lawyer
An identity theft lawyer can help victims of identity theft navigate the complex legal process of reclaiming their stolen identity and fixing errors on their credit report.  An identity theft lawyer’s role is to carry a big hammer, so to speak.  Identity theft lawyers are well-versed in the laws and regulations governing identity theft and can provide expert guidance and representation to their clients.  An identity theft lawyer can help you dispute fraudulent accounts on your credit report and even sue banks and creditors who refuse to correct your credit report.  The threat of a lawsuit under the Fair Credit Reporting Act is one of the biggest benefits to having a lawyer on your side.  At Hadous|Co. we handle identity theft on a continent fee basis.  This means we do not charge uofront for attorneys’ fees, and you will not owe us any attorneys’ fees unless we recover damages on your behalf.
Benefits of Hiring An Identity Theft Lawyer
There can be several benefits to hiring an identity theft lawyer to help you if you have been a victim of identity theft and your credit report has been impacted by identity theft.  Identity theft attorneys can help you understand your rights as a victim of identity theft, and help you gather and complete the necessary paperwork to provide to the credit agencies and furnishers such as banks and lenders who report information on your credit report. Typically, once you notify the credit agencies of the identity theft, dispute errors on your credit report, and provide supporting documentation to the credit agencies such as the Identity Theft Report, which is comprised of information from an Identity Theft Affidavit and police report, the credit agencies will have 30 days to investigate of your credit dispute.  If the credit agency verifies that the information is accurate, or otherwise refuses to correct your credit report, an identity theft lawyer can help you file a lawsuit in court under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
How to Choose the Right Identity Theft Lawyer
When choosing an identity theft lawyer to represent you in your credit dispute or identity theft lawsuit, it is important to look for an attorney with experience in handling identity theft cases. A good identity theft lawyer will have a track record of success in representing victims of identity theft and the trial and appellate level.  Attorney Nick Hadous has represented consumers in hundreds of lawsuits alleging violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, including victims of identity theft victims.  Mr. Hadous has also successfully appealed numerous FCRA cases on behalf of other law firms, including FCRA lawsuits involving post-bankruptcy credit reporting and the credit reporting obligations of furnishers (lenders). In addition, Mr. Hadous is also a contributor and published author for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and has written extensively on consumer protection issues and the Fair Credit Reporting Act
If you have been a victim of identity theft, don't hesitate to contact us to schedule a free phone or Zoom consultation by using our contact form below.

​How To Protect Your Identity: Disputing Identity Theft On Your Credit Report

Recognizing Signs Of Identity Theft:
If you notice unfamiliar accounts or transactions on your credit report, it could be a sign of identity theft. Monitoring your credit report regularly is key to detecting any suspicious activity early on.

Taking Immediate Action - Fraud Alert On Your Credit Report:
If you discovery any discrepancies on your credit report, it is crucial to act. Contact the credit bureaus to report the identity theft and request a fraud alert on your account. This alert notifies creditors to verify your identity before extending credit, adding an extra layer of security while you are dealing with identity theft on your credit report.

Close Accounts That Have Been Tampered With Or Opened Fraudulently: Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company notifying them of the identity theft. Follow up in writing and include copies of supporting documents such as police reports and an Identity Theft Report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It’s important to notify credit card companies, banks, and other creditors/lenders in writing. Send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can keep a record of what you sent to each company.

Create An Identity Theft Report By Reporting Identity Theft To The Federal Trade Commission: 
An Identity Theft Report is a document that will help you deal with the credit reporting companies, debt collectors, banks, or other businesses where accounts were opened in your name due to identity theft. You can use the Identity Theft Report to help:

• get fraudulent information removed from your credit report
  
• stop a company from collecting debts that result from identity theft, or from selling the debt to another
  company for collection
  
• place an extended fraud alert on your credit report
  
• get information from companies about accounts the identity thief opened or misused
  
  
  

Creating An Identity Theft Report Involves 3 Steps:

1. Submit a complaint about the identity theft to the FTC. When you finish providing all the details, print a copy of the report. The report will print out as an "Identity Theft Affidavit."
   
2. Make a police report about the identity theft, and get a copy of the police report or the report number. Take your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit when you file a police report.
   
3. Attach your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit to your police report. This is considered an Identity Theft Report.
   

After making an Identity Theft Report, the FTC will enter your information into the Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, a nationwide databank that assists law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of identity thieves. 

Be Ready To Fight To Dispute The Identity Theft:
Some companies may refuse to correct your credit report or may not deem the Identity Theft Report sufficient. These decisions can depend on the policies and procedures of the credit reporting company. If you are having difficulty, it is imperative to involve professional help such as an identity theft victims' lawyer. 

Gather Evidence:
To support your case when disputing the identity theft and fraudulent information, gather all relevant documents such as your identification, proof of address, and details of the identity theft. Providing this evidence strengthens your position during the credit dispute process.

Submit A Credit Dispute The Credit Bureaus Regarding The Identity Theft:
Submit a written dispute letter to the credit bureaus detailing the inaccuracies on your report due to identity theft. You will need to clearly identity the fraudulent accounts or transactions and provide any supporting documentation, details, and narrative to validate your claim.  Be sure to mail your dispute with tracking or delivery confirmation in case you need to prove that the bureau received the dispute later on. This type of credit dispute is better off in writing as opposed to an online dispute.  
Follow-Up On Your Identity Theft Credit Dispute: 
After submitting your dispute, you should hear back from the credit bureaus within 30 days. Stay proactive by following up with the credit bureau to ensure that your credit dispute is being investigated.  Being persistent is the key to resolving identity theft issues on your credit report.

We have helped identity theft victims dispute fraudulent information and file lawsuits under the Fair Credit Reporting Act when companies refuse to remove fraudulent and inaccurate information from consumer credit reports.   If you are a victim of identity theft please contact us to request a free phone or zoom consultation.

​Identity theft is a serious issue that can have immediate impact on your credit report and long-lasting consequences on your financial well-being if you do not take the right steps to protect your credit report after identity theft. One way to protect yourself from the consequences of identity theft is to monitor your credit report for any suspicious activity that may indicate identity theft. Monitoring your credit report for identity theft and fraud id one way to protect you from falling victim to the potentially disastrous effects of identity theft.
​

​Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information, such as your Social Security number or credit card details, to commit fraud. This can lead to unauthorized charges on your accounts, opening new unauthorized accounts in your name, or even filing fraudulent tax returns. Identity thieves can wreak havoc on your financial life and credit report, leading to a lengthy and complex process of clearing your name and restoring your credit.  An experienced credit lawyer can help you handle credit reporting errors due to identity theft.
​

​Your credit report contains a detailed record of your credit history, including open and closed accounts, payment history, and any inquiries made into your credit by lenders and others. Regularly monitoring your credit report can help you spot any unusual activity, such as unfamiliar accounts or inquiries, or fraudulent charges on your credit report that may indicate potential identity theft. Being vigilant and checking your credit report regularly can help you detect and address any fraudulent activity such as identity theft before it causes further damage.  Experienced attorneys can help guide you through the process of filing identity theft affidavits and disputing fraudulent accounts on your credit report with the credit reporting agencies.
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​There are several ways to monitor your credit report for signs of identity theft. You can request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – once a year through AnnualCreditReport.com. Reviewing your credit report from all three credit bureaus can help ensure that you catch any discrepancies and any traces of identity theft on your credit report.
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​Another option for monitoring your credit report for identity theft is to utilize credit monitoring services. These services can provide you with real-time alerts whenever there are significant changes to your credit report, such as new accounts being opened or large balance increases. While some credit monitoring services come with a fee, the peace of mind they offer in protecting your identity may be worth the investment.
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Identity theft is a real threat in today's digital age, but by checking your credit reports and monitoring your activity, you can minimize the risk of falling victim to identity theft. Monitoring your credit report is vital to protecting yourself from identity theft because this allows you to detect any suspicious activity early on and take swift action to mitigate the damage such as hiring an experienced credit lawyer to help you restore your credit report from identity theft. Remember, knowledge is power when it comes to safeguarding your financial future.  
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Attorney Nick Hadous has helped numerous consumers dealing with identity theft issues and has helped consumers file lawsuits under the Fair Credit Reporting Act when furnishers and credit reporting agencies fail to correct credit report errors. If you are the victim of identity theft, please reach out using our contact form below for a free phone or Zoom consultation.