Identity theft lawyers can help you regain control. If you have been the victim of identity theft, this can be incredibly frustrating and scary. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to secure your identity and protect yourself if you are an identity theft victim.
What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name and personal information without your permission. Often times, that person steals your identity to open a credit card in your name or to obtain services in your name. Identity theft can also occur when someone gains access to your existing accounts and make fraudulent charges on your accounts.
What steps to take if you have been the victim of identity theft?
There are several steps you can take to protect your identity after you discover identity theft including speaking to an identity theft lawyer.
Identity theft steps to take to protect yourself include:
Sometimes credit bureaus report fraudulent accounts on your credit report. If the credit bureau refuses to remove a fraudulent account or an account that was opened because of identity theft, you may be able to seek relief in court by suing the credit bureau for identity theft reporting with the help of an identity theft lawyer. We have represented consumers in identity theft cases where someone fraudulently opened an account using someone else's name or used an existing account without the accountholder's knowledge or consent. If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, you can reach out to our office for help if you believe you have been the victim of identity theft and would like to speak to an identity theft lawyer.
What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name and personal information without your permission. Often times, that person steals your identity to open a credit card in your name or to obtain services in your name. Identity theft can also occur when someone gains access to your existing accounts and make fraudulent charges on your accounts.
What steps to take if you have been the victim of identity theft?
There are several steps you can take to protect your identity after you discover identity theft including speaking to an identity theft lawyer.
Identity theft steps to take to protect yourself include:
- Report identity theft to the FTC at www.identitytheft.gov to create a personal recovery plan and to obtain an FTC Identity Theft Report that you can use as proof of identity theft when recovering from identity theft.
- Report identity theft to your local police department. Some companies may require a police report of the identity theft from your local police department.
- Add a fraud alert to your credit reports. Adding a fraud alert to your credit reports notifies creditors that you may be the victim of identity theft and that they should take precautions to confirm your identity before opening an account in your name.
- Freeze your credit reports. Placing a freeze on your credit reports can block lenders from checking your report in order to open a new account. You can also unfreeze your accounts when you apply for new credit.
- Contact any credit card companies or other companies to report the identity theft or fraud. Contacting a credit card company or financial institution to report identity theft or fraud will enable them to close the account.
- Review your credit reports and monitor your credit reports. You should review your credit reports to check for the reporting of any accounts based on identity theft or fraudulent use of accounts in your name because of identity theft. If there are credit report errors because of identity theft or fraud, you can dispute the fraudulent charges with the credit bureaus and any involved bank or credit card company.
Sometimes credit bureaus report fraudulent accounts on your credit report. If the credit bureau refuses to remove a fraudulent account or an account that was opened because of identity theft, you may be able to seek relief in court by suing the credit bureau for identity theft reporting with the help of an identity theft lawyer. We have represented consumers in identity theft cases where someone fraudulently opened an account using someone else's name or used an existing account without the accountholder's knowledge or consent. If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, you can reach out to our office for help if you believe you have been the victim of identity theft and would like to speak to an identity theft lawyer.