When you discover that you are a victim of identity theft, your first thought may surround whether or not you need to report these matters to the police. Additionally, if you discover the theft later, you may wonder if it’s too late to pursue legal action. As such, it’s imperative to understand the importance of connecting with an experienced California identity theft victim lawyer who can assist you in recovering your identity and pursuing legal action. If this reflects your circumstances, you’ll want to keep reading. You’ll learn about the statute of limitations for identity theft reporting and the signs you should look for.
What Signs of Identity Theft Should I Look Out For?
As a consumer, ensuring your identity is secured is critical. Unfortunately, if someone gets a hold of your personal information, it can devastate your finances, and in some instances, your life. One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself is to familiarize yourself with the signs of identity theft. This can help you act quickly to secure your identity and mitigate potential damages. The following are some of the most common reasons signs that your identity has been compromised:
- Receiving bills for items you never purchased
- Receiving letters or phone calls from debt collectors for accounts you never opened
- Being denied a loan
- Unfamiliar or incorrect information on your credit report
It’s important to note that each of the credit reporting agencies offers consumers one free credit report per year. As such, this means you can check your credit report three times a year for free. It may be in your best interest to request one report every four months, as this allows you to periodically check to ensure nothing is amiss.
What Is the Statute of Limitations to File a Report?
It’s important to understand that most instances of identity theft can be handled internally with the credit reporting agencies and your financial institutions. You may not need to file a police report unless any of the following apply to your circumstances:
- You know who committed the identity theft
- You have information that could aid in a police investigation into the crime
- Your financial institution requires you to file a police report
- Your information was used in connection with criminal activity
The statute of limitation to pursue legal action against someone for identity theft is four years from the date you discovered the action. However, if the courts determine you should have discovered the theft sooner, they may set the “discovery date” earlier.
There are many considerations you must make when pursuing legal action for an act of identity theft. As such, it’s in your best interest to understand that connecting with an attorney can give you the best opportunity to recover your identity and receive justice for the wrongs you’ve suffered. At Loker Law, our dedicated team of consumer attorneys understands how complex these matters can be. That’s why we are dedicated to fighting for you. Contact our firm today to discuss the circumstances of your case with a member of our team.
