consumer protection attorney who handles identity theft cases

Who are the lawyers for identity theft victims?

Talk to an Experienced Identity Theft Lawyer at Schlanger Law Group. When your financial reputation, your credit rating, your access to financing, and perhaps even your bank balances are on the line, you need an advocate you can trust. With our free case consultation, you have nothing to lose. Call (212) 500-6114 or click below to complete our ...

How can a consumer protection lawyer help me?

An identity theft attorney will work to hold the thief responsible, recover financial losses, and repair damages you have experienced as a result. If someone is using your name to open accounts and make purchases, you may need a consumers’ rights attorney. They can recognize these signs and work with your bank and the credit cards to save you money and your reputation.

Is identity theft easy to detect and stop?

If you think you may be a victim of identity theft, you should retain an identity theft attorney to help restore your stolen identity. Dealing with identity theft on your own can become overwhelming. An attorney who is specialized in consumer protection law will be able to make this difficult process less stressful for you. Some of the ways an identity theft attorney may be …

Can the police determine the identity of an identity thief?

At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys can help protect consumers against a number of types of threats out there. With the resources of America’s largest plaintiffs firm, we have the bandwidth to tackle a whole host of consumer protection issues. Below are common consumer protection cases we handle: Identity Theft Claims

How can an identity theft attorney help you?

Some of the ways an identity theft attorney may be able to help you include: Contacting uncooperative creditors, credit bureaus, or debt collectors and dealing with them directly. Determining the appropriate legal action to take against uncooperative creditors, credit bureaus, and debt collectors.

What to do if you think you are a victim of identity theft?

If you think you may be a victim of identity theft, you should retain an identity theft attorney to help restore your stolen identity. Dealing with identity theft on your own can become overwhelming. An attorney who is specialized in consumer protection law will be able to make this difficult process less stressful for you.

Can identity theft be penalized?

When your identity is on the line, you should not take any risks. Identity theft is dangerous and needs to be penalized strictly. Contact an identity theft attorney in your area today.

What is identity theft?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act defines identity theft as “a fraud committed or attempted using the identifying information of another person without authority.” Our attorneys have experience navigating identity theft cases and work tirelessly to hold identity thieves and other parties accountable for their actions.

What does FACTA stand for?

FACTA, which stands for the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, was created to reduce the risk of stolen personal information that could lead to identity theft. However, not all lenders and retailers follow the provisions of FACTA and put consumers at risk.

What is consumer protection law?

Consumer protection laws are designed to ensure consumers are treated fairly by businesses and protected against fraud and scams. If someone uses your credit card without your knowledge or consent, that is credit card fraud. If someone sells you stock by misrepresenting its value, that is investment fraud.

What to do if you have been accused of fraud?

If you believe you have been the target of fraud or if you have been accused of fraud, a fraud attorney can clear your name and return you to good standing. A lawyer who has experience with fraud can help you through a wide range of cases, from unintentionally filing a false tax return to someone stealing your credit card.

Why is it important to provide information to an attorney about a stolen identity?

The smallest fact can make a theory of liability actionable; therefore, it is important for your attorney to be equipped with all information that is relevant to your case, as this can help in determining the best route for recovery.

What is criminal identity theft?

Criminal Identity Theft: In some instances, an individual committing a criminal act will identify themselves as another person, typically with the use of fraudulent identification.

What is identity theft?

Given the number of ways an identity can be stolen, identity theft encompasses several theories of liability. The type of claim you file will hinge on the type of identity theft you have been the victim of, as well as the facts particular to your case.

What is an identity theft affidavit?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) supplies an Identity Theft Affidavit, which can be used to report new, unauthorized accounts opened with your stolen information. Check with the company to determine if they will accept the affidavit. Keep a written record of every conversation you have with the fraud departments.

What is identity cloning?

Identity Cloning: Identity cloning refers to all forms of identity theft in one; the thief literally takes over the other individual’s identity, in every aspect of their life.

How to report identity theft?

Report the identity theft to each creditor, even if that account has not been affected. Close each account that has been compromised. Ask the credit bureaus to place a "fraud alert" on every open account.

What happens if you get your identity stolen?

If you have had your identity stolen, you may have legal recourse against a number of parties. To learn more about your legal options and how our identity theft attorneys may be able to help you, please complete our case evaluation form, at no cost or obligation to you.

Who to contact if you have identity theft?

If you’ve been the victim of identity theft or have questions about how to best protect yourself, you should contact a consumer protection attorney.

What is the right of a victim of identity theft?

Under federal law, for example, a victim of identity theft has a right to restitution not just for the actual harm incurred but also for the time spent trying to fix such harm. Many state laws provide additional remedies to victims, such as the ability to file suit against the perpetrators and recover damages.

What is the type of crime that can cause significant damage that lingers for many years?

Identity theft is the type of crime that can cause significant damage that lingers for many years, especially when it results in a negative credit history or reputational harm. Because of this, it's important to take immediate action to protect yourself if you find that your identity has been stolen.

How do identity thieves get information?

There are a variety of methods that identity thieves use to acquire personal information. Some of the more common methods include: 1 Stealing wallets or purses 2 Dumpster diving for discarded mail or other records 3 Stealing mail from the mail box or redirecting your mail to a different address 4 Telephone scams 5 Eavesdropping or surfing over your shoulder in public 6 Data breaches of financial institutions or major retail companies 7 Internet scams 8 Hacking

What is the process of regaining your identity?

The task of recovering your identity and clearing your name can be challenging and time consuming and, especially in the immediate aftermath, often requires: Filing a police report. Filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission. Contacting financial institutions to initiate fraud alerts or close accounts.

Is identity theft a form of identity fraud?

Identity theft and identity fraud are often used interchangeably. However, while identity fraud refer s to a broad category of crimes involving the use of false identification, identity theft is a form of identity fraud that specifically involves the use of someone else's personal information. Identity theft is defined under federal law as ...

Can you file a lawsuit for identity theft in Florida?

In Florida, victims of theft can not only file suit, but can also recover triple the amount of actual damages incurred. An identity theft attorney can advise you of such rights as well as any relevant statutes of limitations.

How to handle identity theft?

In many instances, identity theft can be successfully handled by taking basic steps to re-secure your accounts and notify creditors of the problem. The Federal Trade Commission has provided useful guidance that can help consumers on these sorts of actions.

What should a victim of identity theft do?

In these instances, a victim of identity theft should find a lawyer whose practice focus es on protecting consumers from identity theft and inaccurate reporting. A skilled consumer protection lawyer with experience in this particular area can help the consumer hold the banks and credit reporting responsible, and will often be able to represent the victim on a contingent basis.

What happens if you don't handle identity theft?

If you experience identity theft and it is not handled promptly, diligently, and with skill, then identity theft can be catastrophic to your finances and personal life. This is particularly true if creditors and credit reporting agencies do not respond quickly and favorably when they are notified that identity theft has occurred. Finding skilled, zealous counsel can be critically important. Schlanger Law Group has extensive experience in protecting consumers from a variety of forms of identity theft. If you are a victim of identity theft, contact Schlanger Law Group.

What is it called when someone steals your information?

When someone steals your personal information to commit fraud, it is called identity theft. This can occur in a variety of ways, but all can be harmful to you, your savings, finances, and credit. Some of the most common forms of identity theft are bank accounts or credit cards being opened in your name, or your existing financial accounts being hacked and drained. Identity thieves can do this by accessing personal information such as bank PINs, Social Security numbers, birthdates, and addresses. While some identity theft is committed by strangers, identity theft can also be committed by family members or significant others (or ex-partners) that have access to your personal information.

What to look for in a lawyer for a statue?

Look for a lawyer who has experience in federal statues protecting victims. Most key statues in this area are federal, so you will need a lawyer with appropriate experience.

Does Experian remove credit information?

Similarly, Experian, Trans Union, Equifax, LexisNexis and others often refuse to remove inaccurate credit information relating to identity thefts. However, by failing to remove inaccurate information, these agencies are in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which requires that the credit reporting agencies conduct a reasonable investigation of all disputed accounts.

Do identity theft lawyers get paid?

This means that the lawyer will only get paid when they win your case. Then, they will be paid out of the money recovered in the lawsuit.

How do identity thieves get your information?

Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. Identity thieves may attempt to fraudulently use your information in many ways, such as: 1 Open credit accounts or qualify for a loan using your credit record 2 Get a job or receive government benefits under your social security number 3 File an income tax return under your social security number 4 Obtain utility services under your name 5 Get medical services using your medical insurance 6 Impersonate you when they commit a crime so their criminal history record isn’t affected

How many fraud cases were reported in 2019?

Anyone can be a victim . Of the more than 3.2-million fraud cases reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2019, identity theft accounted for 20.33% of cases and was the most-common type of fraud. In fact, 2019 was the worst year in history for identity theft reports by a wide margin.

Is identity theft a crime?

Identity theft is a serious crime that can have horrible consequences on your finances, credit history, criminal record and reputation. The emotional impact on victims and their loved ones can also take a terrible toll.

Is identity theft a problem in Georgia?

Identity theft is also a major problem in Georgia . In 2019, Georgia was the state ranked number one in identity theft complaints per capita filed with the FTC, with 427 complaints per 100,000 Georgia residents and a total 44,888 complaints.