Unfortunately, the senior community often falls victim to identity theft. Because of this, you will want a skilled California senior identity theft lawyer on your side if you or a loved one has faced financial deceit or exploitation. Our legal team has significant experience handling cases of identity theft involving seniors and individuals of all ages, and we are equipped to put that experience to work for you.
How does senior identity theft in California occur?
It is unfortunate to see the elderly community being financially manipulated in so many ways. Below are some of the most common types of senior identity theft that our firm has seen:
- Peeking over the shoulder of elderly persons as they input credit card/PIN numbers, Social Security numbers, or other important information.
- Fraudulent phone calls or emails are designed to deceive people into clicking certain links or handing over specific confidential information, such as credit card info, Social Security info, or even directly wiring money over to scammers.
- Committing acts of credit card fraud, hoping the individual won’t check their statements routinely.
Scammers and other criminals will sometimes even go to extremes of searching through the trash, in hopes of discovering valuable personal information that wasn’t shredded or properly thrown away. Even though there are several preventative actions seniors and others can take to avoid being scammed or frauded, such as destroying documents containing sensitive information, keeping secure passwords, regularly and thoroughly checking account statements, familiarizing themselves with a fraudulent phone call/email scams, and more, anyone can still be a victim of theft. Do not hesitate to reach out to our firm today if you or a loved one has faced identity theft.
What steps should I take if my identity was stolen?
The first step you will want to take if you have fallen victim to identity theft is to consult with the creditor with whom the account was opened or defrauded. Once you have done that then report the fraud to Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax. Next, you should notify the FTC of the fraudulent activity and work to secure your personal information. You should also talk with a qualified California senior identity theft lawyer who can advise you of your legal options moving ahead. Oftentimes, when creditors or banks forget to investigate these allegations of fraud, our firm can hold them civilly responsible for their actions and seek compensation on our clients’ behalf.
Contact a California Consumer Lawyer
If you are facing any sort of consumer-related issue, such as one involving identity theft, a credit report dispute, or you need a debt collection defense attorney to fight for you, our firm is ready to help. Contact Loker Law, APC today to schedule your initial consultation with our experienced legal team.
