In the digital age, there are more opportunities than ever for bad actors to steal your personal information. Luckily, thanks to technology, there are also more ways than ever to guard your identity and recognize signs that you are being scammed. With leaks of personal information online, it is good to keep in mind some of the common signs that someone could be using your info for their own gain.
Loker Law has witnessed the short and long term effects of identity theft and how it can make your life a living nightmare. We have helped victims of identity theft across California reclaim their lives and financial freedom, and we want to prevent you from not recognizing that identity theft has happened to you until it’s too late!
If you have noticed any of the following warning signs, feel free to check out the testimonials across our website and contact us to schedule a free initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your identity!
How Does Identity Theft Occur?
There are many ways that identity theft can occur, meaning that you have to be vigilant on several fronts to guard your personal information. Your information is everywhere, and all it takes is one dedicated person to breach and disseminate it. Some common sources of identity theft include:
- Physical theft: People might steal your wallet, bank cards, or mail in order to access your information.
- Data breaches: Sometimes hackers can break into a company’s system in order to steal information from clients.
- Skimmers: People can steal your card info at ATM machines or gas pumps.
- Phishing: Using emails, phone calls, and texts posing as legitimate companies, phishers can trick you into providing your personal info.
- Unsafe internet connection: If you enter your information while on unsecured Wi-Fi, it can be intercepted.
These are not the only ways that fraudsters can steal your info and identity, but they are some common sources of identity theft of which you should be aware.
Warning Signs
Unexplained Decrease In Your Credit Score
If your credit score takes a sudden nosedive and you have not taken out a loan, defaulted on debt, or otherwise made any significant transactions that could explain the change, someone might have taken out credit in your name. If someone has stolen your identity in order to get access to your credit, they will inevitably default on the payments, leaving you to deal with the consequences.
If you believe that a decrease in your credit score is a result of fraudulent activity, check your credit report for data that doesn’t line up with your transaction history. If your credit has taken a hit because of someone else, call up the three major credit bureaus to have an alert put on your account so that no one can take out more loans or cards in your name while you work to get the issue resolved.
Loans Or Credit Card Applications Being Denied
Sometimes, people don’t realize that there is fraudulent activity on their account until they need to utilize their credit for themselves. If you have a good credit history and have been turned down for multiple loans or credit cards, it could be a sign that criminals have damaged your credit.
If you have been denied credit for which you believe you should be eligible based on your credit history, look over details of why you have been denied if they are available. Further, check out your credit statements and credit report. If you find signs of fraudulent activity, reach out to the credit companies to have your credit frozen and prevent further activity.
Unauthorized Credit And Debit Transactions
Checking your transactions often can help you catch signs of identity theft activity. Banks in the digital age have apps on which you can see every transaction made through your account. Keep an eye on these to determine if there is any expenditure you have not authorized. Keep an eye out especially for any withdrawals you have not made since thieves will sometimes start small by taking amounts that they determine you might be quick to miss.
If you fear that someone is making transactions with your card, you can take measures such as turning on mobile alerts so that you will receive a message whenever there is activity on your account or freezing your cards altogether, which you can also accomplish through your banking app.
You can also check statements on your social security through your social security administration account for signs of similar activity. Keeping an eye on transactions in your name will help you quickly discern whether you are being victimized.
Calls And Mail From Unknown Debt Collectors
This method of monitoring your credit might be a little more tricky since one of the methods scammers use is to contact you via phone or mail with false issues that they use to phish for your information. However, if you are receiving legitimate communications from debt collectors for transactions that you do not recognize, it can be a sign that someone has taken out credit in your name.
If you intercept the debt collector in the form of a phone call, you can ask for information related to the debt to find out if it’s illegitimate. If this is the case, you need to contest the debt and put an alert on your account so that further credit cannot be used.
Issues With Your Tax Return
Sometimes, scammers will file tax returns in your name. If your tax return is rejected, it can be a sign that someone filed in your name in order to receive your money, in which case you should contact the IRS immediately. There are other signs that someone has filed a tax return in your name, including receiving a w2 that doesn’t belong to you or receiving an alert that your ID has been registered on a tax website such as TurboTax or H&R Block.
Loker Law Can Help You Regain Control Of Your Life And Identity
If you are a victim of identity theft in California, Loker Law can fight for the compensation you deserve so that you can get your life back on track. We will work with you through the steps to reclaim your identity and go after the criminals responsible. Reach out to us to schedule a free initial consultation and learn how we can make a difference in your financial future.
