Making the decision to leave your home and move to a new country can be nerve-wracking. Whether you are in the United States for employment purposes, to live with your American spouse, or to escape violence in your home country, you may grow accustomed to your new life. However, you’ll find that your status as an immigrant, whether you hold a green card, a visa, or you’ve been naturalized, can put you at an increased risk of identity theft. As such, the following blog explores what you should know about these matters, including why immigrants are commonly targeted and the schemes often used to steal your information. You’ll also learn the importance of connecting with a California identity theft victim lawyer to help you if your information has been compromised.
Does Identity Theft Commonly Impact Immigrants?
Unfortunately, identity theft is not uncommon in the United States, often impacting members of vulnerable communities like the elderly, children, and members of the United States armed forces. Unfortunately, immigrants are another vulnerable group that often falls victim to identity theft.
Those who were born outside of the United States may find that they are at an increased risk of identity theft for a number of reasons. One of the most common is that they must often provide additional sensitive information, like visa information or ITINs, to employers, landlords, and insurance companies. As such, if this information is not properly secured, it can be compromised in a data breach, ultimately leading to identity theft.
However, you’ll also find that immigrants may be more susceptible to phishing schemes intended to steal their identities, due to a lack of familiarity with these. While a natural-born citizen who has lived in the US their entire life may be able to quickly identify and dismiss attempts at phishing, someone unfamiliar with the laws and customs may believe these attempts to be true, providing sensitive information.
What Scams Often Target Those Born Outside of the United States?
Understanding the most common scams targeted towards immigrants is critical, as it helps ensure that you can avoid sharing your personal information with thieves. In general, you should never provide sensitive information to anyone who has contacted you first. For example, if a bank were to call and ask for your ITIN, you should not provide it. Instead, you can call the bank using a legitimate number found on their website to verify the validity of the call and provide information if necessary.
One of the most common scams targeted towards immigrants is fake messages from USCIS. Thieves may pretend to be immigration agents who need additional personal information or demand payment for outstanding fees, often threatening deportation or arrest if you do not comply. It’s imperative to understand that USCIS will only contact you through legitimate channels of communication and will not threaten your arrest or deportation. USCIS will never contact you through social media platforms, so any messages that claim otherwise are fraudulent.
As an immigrant in the United States, taking the necessary steps to protect yourself is critical. At Loker Law, our dedicated legal team understands how overwhelming these matters can be to navigate, which is why we will do everything in our power to help you if you believe you have fallen victim to an identity theft scam. If you need help, contact our team today to learn how we can represent you.
