It’s an unfortunate fact that many identity thieves are intelligent, which means they will often target those in vulnerable positions. As such, many children, the elderly, and even active duty military members may be targeted. However, there is another large group of individuals who may find themselves at an increased risk of falling victim to identity theft – immigrants. If you are an immigrant living in the United States and you are worried about identity theft, the following blog explores why thieves target these individuals, as well as the importance of working with a San Diego County identity theft lawyer to help you explore your legal options.
Why Are Immigrants Targeted By Identity Thieves?
Unfortunately, immigrants may find themselves the target of identity theft because they are a vulnerable group. In many instances, immigrants may be unfamiliar with the legal processes in the United States, and thus will be exploited by criminals as a means of getting their personal identity. For example, a thief may call posing as a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer as a means of gaining personal information from the victim. Because they are unfamiliar with different laws and systems, they may not think twice before providing sensitive information to someone over the phone.
Additionally, immigrants who enter the country may have a lack of resources, meaning they may be more susceptible to schemes like fake employment postings or free healthcare scams. As such, someone may find themselves having their personal information stolen in the process of applying for jobs or seeking healthcare.
It’s important to understand that many Americans have difficulty identifying and navigating the aftermath of identity theft, let alone someone who is from an entirely different country. Because this process can be complicated for someone born outside of the United States to navigate, thieves target these individuals because they know they can continue using the identity for a prolonged period of time.
How Can I Protect My Identity?
One of the most important things you can do as an immigrant to protect yourself from identity theft is to be wary of your personal information. In general, no one from USCIS, a financial institution, or any other agency will call you and ask for your information. If additional information is needed, you will be contacted via letter or instructed to call the accredited agency to provide the information.
Additionally, you should be careful to keep your personal documents, like a green card, license, or social security card, in secure locations. While you are generally required to keep your green card on you at all times and your license on your person when driving, you should not keep your Social Security card on your person. Instead, keep it in a secure location.
When your identity is compromised, one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself is to connect with an experienced attorney with Barthel Legal. Our team understands how overwhelming this can be, regardless of how long you’ve resided in the United States. As such, we will help you navigate this process to reclaim your identity and mitigate damages. Contact us today to learn how we can fight for you.
