As the holiday season rapidly approaches, you may be finalizing the details for upcoming celebrations. If you’re like most people, the holiday season is a time for reflection and gratitude. However, it’s important to understand that even though you may be more merry than usual, you’ll need to remain on alert. Unfortunately, holiday scams are ever present, and falling victim can have drastic impacts on your life. As such, the following blog explores some of the most common scams you should be on the lookout for and how a California identity theft victim lawyer can help you reclaim your identity.
What Scams Are Most Common During the Holidays?
Unfortunately, one of the most common scams you may encounter this holiday season targets the kindness of others. The holidays are almost synonymous with giving back, as nearly a third of all donations occur during December each year. As such, thieves and criminals prey on the generosity of others by establishing fake charities. Instead of going to those in need, your hard-earned money will be given to criminals. In addition, they’ll take your information to commit identity theft. If you plan on giving back to your community this year, it’s in your best interest to ensure the organizations you wish to support are legitimate, not only to protect your identity but to ensure your kindness goes to those who can use it.
Another scam you may encounter during this period involves package deliveries. If you’re like most people, odds are you’ll buy at least one gift online this year. However, when you receive a text message or email that your package is stuck at a facility or cannot be delivered, you may be inclined to click the link in the message to learn more. Unfortunately, these are almost always scam messages. During the holidays, many shop online, so thieves send these messages to hundreds of people with the hope someone will click the link provided. When they do so, the thieves can gain access to their phones and personal information to commit identity theft. If you receive a text and aren’t sure if it’s legitimate, do not click anything, and instead go to the company’s official website to contact them for more information.
What Should I Do if I’m a Victim of Holiday Scams?
If you have reason to believe you are the victim of a holiday scam, understanding the steps you should take to protect your identity and finances is critical. Generally, one of the most important things you should do is immediately place a fraud alert on your account. This will help prevent any additional accounts from opening in your name and further impacting your credit score as creditors must confirm your identity before opening new accounts.
In addition to requesting a credit freeze, you should also contact your bank, credit cards, and any creditors that have been impacted by the theft. You should inform them you are a victim of identity theft so they can provide you with the necessary steps to secure your accounts.
Next, you should dispute any fraudulent information that has appeared on your credit report as a result of the identity theft you’ve endured. Be sure to provide as much detail as possible when completing the report.
Finally, you should connect with an experienced consumer defense attorney. At Loker Law, APC, we understand how overwhelming it can be if your identity has been stolen. That’s why our firm will do everything in our power to assist you through these difficult matters, especially when you are navigating the holiday season. When you need help, contact our team to learn more.
