When most people think about cybercrimes, they may picture a hacker breaking into national databases to steal secrets and information. While these crimes do happen, they aren’t common. Unfortunately, one of the most common crimes that occurs over the internet is identity theft. As such, it’s critical to familiarise yourself with how this happens. That’s why you’ll want to keep reading to discover the most common kinds of identity theft and why enlisting the assistance of a California identity theft victim lawyer is critical if your information has been compromised.
Are There Different Forms of Identity Theft?
It’s important to understand that identity theft is not one-size-fits-all. Hackers will take your information and use it for all kinds of nefarious purposes.
One of the most common forms of identity theft is financial. In many instances, thieves with access to your information will access your accounts and use it to make purchases. For example, they may use your credit card information to shop online or drain money from your bank account. Similarly, they may even use your social security number to open a line of credit in your name, leaving you responsible for the outstanding balance.
Another similar form revolves around tax identity theft. As the name suggests, this occurs when someone uses your information to file your taxes for you in order to receive your hard-earned return.
Finally, medical identity theft is growing increasingly common. This occurs when someone uses your information to receive care and treatment on your insurance plan. Not only can this be expensive, but it can also impact the care you receive in the future. For example, if there is a medication you aren’t taking listed on your records, you may not receive a form of treatment due to the interactions. This can impact your health.
What Should I Do if I Think I’m a Victim of the Common Kinds of Identity Theft?
If believe you are a victim of the aforementioned kinds of identity theft, you must take the necessary steps to mitigate damages. You should contact your financial institutions to inform them of the fraud to prevent additional funds from leaving your account. If you are a victim of tax identity theft, you can report the theft to the IRS, who will likely provide you with a PIN for filing future returns. Additionally, you should inform your insurance agency and healthcare providers of the theft to protect your accounts and health.
However, the most important thing you can do is connect with an experienced identity theft victim attorney from Loker Law. The process of recovering your identity can be incredibly complex. As such, it’s crucial to do everything in your power to make this process as simple as possible. At Loker Law, we understand how unfair being a victim of identity theft can be, which is why we’re committed to doing everything possible to help you through these times. Contact us today to learn more.
