When someone uses your personal information for financial gain, it can be incredibly devastating to navigate. Unfortunately, you may find yourself unsure of where to turn or how to regain control of your identity. If you are a victim of identity theft, it’s in your best interest to work with an experienced California identity theft victim lawyer to help you in the fight for the justice you deserve. The following blog explores more about how identity theft happens and the damages you can seek.
Who Can Face Liability if My Identity Is Compromised?
Unfortunately, identity theft is much more common than you may think. Those who perpetrate this crime are often criminally sophisticated hackers, and they are skilled in evading detection and capture. As such, many who commit this offense are rarely discovered. However, this does not mean that you, as a victim of identity theft, have to bear the burden of this offense on your own.
In many instances, hackers are able to obtain your information because of negligence by companies and institutions responsible for keeping your details safe and secure. These entities often include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Banks
- Lenders and creditors
- Debt collectors
- Retail stores
- Social media companies
- Doctor’s offices and medical providers
- Insurance companies
When you provide your personal and sensitive information to these entities, they are responsible for ensuring the information you’ve given them is safely secured using effective security measures. When companies fail to take these steps, it can lead to data breaches and your identity being compromised.
What Damages Can I Seek for Identity Theft?
Identity theft can cause a host of issues, both financially and emotionally. When someone uses your personal information to make purchases or open accounts, you can be left to bear the burden of their actions. This includes being left with the debt they’ve accumulated. Unfortunately, if you are unaware of the theft, you may only discover it after being served with a lawsuit or default judgment. On top of the debt and legal fees, you’ll find that the theft can cause your credit score to plummet, resulting in a decreased credit limit, increased interest rates, and the denial of loans. You should also note that any bills from medical events you suffer as a result of the stress of identity theft can be sought when taking legal action. As such, you can seek compensation for these losses, referred to as economic damages.
However, identity theft can also cause severe emotional damage. This includes stress, anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, and humiliation. Though they can be harder to prove, you can seek compensation for these emotional losses.
As you can see, identity theft can seriously disrupt your life. That is why seeking the compensation you are entitled to with the assistance of an experienced identity theft defense attorney is in your best interest. At Loker Law, APC, we understand how difficult these matters can be to navigate, which is why we are committed to fighting for you. Contact us today to learn how our team can assist you.
