Identity Theft Lawyer

Identity theft is a nightmare scenario for any consumer. One day, you might discover unauthorized accounts on your credit report, receive bills for purchases you never made, or get calls from debt collectors about debts that aren’t yours. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to fraudulently open accounts, take out loans, or make charges in your name. It’s not a rare problem either. In 2023 alone, American consumers lost an estimated $43 billion to identity fraud schemes. Millions of people each year experience this violation of their financial identity, often with devastating consequences for their credit and peace of mind.

Identity Theft vs. Credit Report Errors: It’s important to distinguish identity theft from ordinary credit reporting errors, though they can look similar. Not all unfamiliar accounts or mistakes on a credit report are due to theft – credit bureaus often mix up or inaccurately merge files, causing someone else’s accounts or information to appear on your report by mistake. Those errors can hurt your credit, but they don’t involve a thief. Identity theft, on the other hand, is an intentional act of fraud. The result may be the same bad credit report information, but with identity theft there is an actual perpetrator and additional legal steps needed (like filing FTC reports and fraud alerts). Our firm handles both general credit report disputes and identity theft cases. We help victims of all types of inaccurate credit reporting, and one of our specialties is assisting victims of identity theft to reclaim their names and recover from the devastation caused by having your identity stolen.

Signs You May Be a Victim of Identity Theft

Identity theft isn’t always immediately obvious. Many people don’t realize it has happened until significant damage is done. Common warning signs of identity theft include:

• Unfamiliar accounts or addresses on your credit report: You see credit cards, loans, or personal information listed on your credit file that you don’t recognize – a strong clue that someone else’s activity is being reported under your name.
• Bills or statements for accounts you never opened: You start receiving credit card statements, utility bills, or other account paperwork in the mail for accounts that you know you didn’t open.
• Debt collectors contacting you for unknown debts: Agencies call or send letters demanding payment on loans or credit lines that you have no prior knowledge of. This often means an identity thief incurred debt in your name and the debt has been sent to a collection agency or collection attorney.
• “Hard” credit inquiries from lenders you never applied to: Your credit report shows that companies (banks, credit card issuers, etc.) pulled your credit without your knowledge. This can indicate someone tried applying for credit using your identity (resulting in unauthorized accounts on your credit report if they succeeded).
• Unexpected credit cards or changes in mail: You might receive a new credit card you didn’t apply for or notice that some of your regular bills stop arriving (a thief may have changed your mailing address to hide their activities).

Note: These red flags don’t always guarantee that identity theft has occurred. However, if you notice any of these signs, you should treat it seriously and investigate immediately. An experienced identity theft attorney or credit dispute attorney can help determine whether you’re dealing with fraud or an error and take the appropriate steps in either case.

The Financial and Emotional Impact of Identity Theft

Being the victim of identity theft can be financially disastrous and emotionally draining. The immediate financial impact often includes damage to your credit scores and credit history. Fraudulent accounts opened by an identity thief can rack up thousands of dollars in unpaid debts or bills in your name, leading to negative marks on your credit report. This can make it difficult – even impossible – for you to get new credit when you need it. For instance, you might be denied a mortgage or car loan or be forced to pay much higher interest rates because of a bogus delinquent account. You might be harmed in ways you never expected. Many landlords, utility companies, and employers check credit reports. An identity theft victim might suddenly struggle to rent an apartment, set up a cell phone plan, or even pass a background check for a new job due to the false and derogatory information on their reports. In severe cases, you could also find your bank accounts drained or credit cards maxed out by the imposter.

The emotional toll of identity theft is just as real. Learning that someone has exploited your personal data leads to feelings of stress, fear, and violation. Many victims describe feeling angry, anxious, or helpless when dealing with the fallout. You may spend countless hours trying to fix errors, contacting banks and credit bureaus, and monitoring your accounts. The process can stretch over weeks, months, or years, causing ongoing anxiety every time you check your credit or receive new mail. Some victims also feel a stigma, as if they’re somehow to blame. However, it is not your fault. Identity theft is a crime perpetrated against you, and it can happen to anyone. Beyond the financial losses, the loss of your sense of security and peace of mind can be significant. Our legal team understands how upsetting this experience is, and we are here to support you through the recovery process. You don’t have to face the fallout alone.

How an Identity Theft Lawyer Can Help You

If you’re dealing with identity theft, you’re likely asking questions like: “How do I fix identity theft on my credit report?” or “How can I restore my good name?” Fortunately, there are powerful legal tools to help identity theft victims. Chief among these is the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) – a law that provides you rights to dispute and correct false information on your credit reports, and to seek compensation if those rights are violated.

Facing identity theft can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it all on your own. An experienced consumer attorney is your advocate in correcting the damage and holding the responsible parties accountable. Here are some of the ways our identity theft attorneys can help you:

• Investigation and Advice: We will review your credit reports and account statements with you to identify all fraudulent activity. Often, identity theft comes with a tangle of errors – we help distinguish what’s truly identity theft versus potential “mixed” credit reporting files. Based on your situation, we’ll advise you on the immediate steps to take and develop a strategy to restore your financial standing.
• Disputing Fraudulent Accounts: We can help you with the formal dispute process under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Although the process of disputing information on your credit report may seem straightforward, there are many potential pitfalls to avoid. For example, the credit bureau may deny ever receiving your dispute unless you send it via certified mail (and have a return receipt as proof). We know how put identity theft victims in the strongest position possible to enforce their rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other consumer protections laws.
• Legal Action and Compensation: If the credit bureaus or creditors fail to comply with the law, we can take legal action on your behalf. Our identity theft attorneys have extensive experience filing lawsuits under the FCRA and related statutes to enforce consumer rights. We handle all the legal complexities, from drafting the complaint to negotiating with opposing counsel, so you can focus on getting your life back on track.

Throughout this process, having dedicated attorneys in your corner gives you peace of mind. We know the tricks and delays these companies often use, and we know how to counter them. Our priority is that your credit is repaired, any fraudulent debts are cleared, and you are made whole by obtaining financial compensation for what you went through.

Contact Us to Start Your Identity Theft Recovery

If you suspect that you’re a victim of identity theft, or you’re struggling to fix identity theft issues on your credit report, take action now. The sooner you address the problem, the easier it is to limit the damage. At our firm, we have helped countless consumers across the country reclaim their good name and hold consumer reporting agencies (and the companies that report to them) accountable. Let us put our experience to work for you.

Don’t spend another day feeling overwhelmed by identity theft. With the right legal help, you can remove the fraudulent information, repair your credit inaccuracies, and recover any losses. Get in touch with our team of dedicated identity theft attorneys and take the first step toward restoring your financial security and peace of mind. We are here to help you turn this around and move forward with confidence.

Call us at (757) 930-3660 or reach out through our Free Consultation form.  Your consultation is confidential, and there’s no obligation.