Though technology has drastically improved our quality of life, it has undeniably changed the way identity theft happens. As such, it’s important to understand how significantly identity theft can impact your life in order to protect yourself. If you are worried about identity theft, the following blog explores what you can do to secure your identity and mitigate these damages. The following blog explores what you can do to secure your identity with the assistance of a California identity theft victim lawyer.
How Can Identity Theft Impact My Life?
You may feel the impacts of identity theft before you even notice that it’s happened. You’ll find that one of the most serious effects identity theft can have is that it can drastically reduce your credit score. Unfortunately, when someone opens an account or takes out a loan in your name and does not make the necessary payments, it can ruin your credit. This will limit your ability to secure loans and even where you can live.
You may also find that you can have lawsuits filed against you for debts in your name, even though they are the result of identity theft. This can cause immense stress which can further escalate into severe emotional damages.
What Steps Can I Take to Secure My Identity?
If you are worried about identity theft, understanding what steps you can take to prevent this from happening is critical. Generally, one of the most common ways thieves access this information is through scamming. As such, you should never provide your Social Security Number to anyone else, even if they claim to be a representative of the government or your bank. As a general rule, unless you initial the phone call or email, do not provide any sensitive information as the person on the other end of the line may not be who they claim.
Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that you turn on two-factor authentication for your personal accounts. This is one of the most simple things you can do to add an extra layer of security to your banking and credit card accounts. After you log in with your username and password, you’ll find that you must enter a code sent to your phone number or email. Without this code, you cannot access the account. As such, even if someone has your username and password, unless they have access to your device, they will not be able to access your account.
Despite taking the necessary steps to secure your identity, thieves and hackers are constantly finding new ways to circumvent security measures, meaning you may still fall victim. Though this can be incredibly upsetting, it’s important to connect with an experienced attorney from Loker Law as soon as possible. Our team understands how anxiety-inducing it can be to learn that you are a victim of identity theft and we are dedicated to helping victims pursue justice. Connect with us today to learn how we can assist you.
