Often, when searching for ways to reclaim your identity if you’ve been a victim of theft, you’ll find plenty of resources informing you on how to prevent or minimize the risk of becoming a victim. While these resources are valuable, for those who have already had their identity compromised, it can be incredibly frustrating. If you’re a victim of identity theft and want to minimize the impact it can have on your life and finances, the following blog explores the steps you can take and why working with a San Diego County identity theft lawyer is in your best interest during these complicated matters.
What Steps Can I Take to Minimize the Impact of Identity Theft?
As a victim of identity theft, taking immediate steps to prevent the issue from spiraling is critical. Generally, the first thing you should do is contact your bank to change your account information. This can help your account from being accessed by the identity thief. Additionally, if any charges have been posted to your account, you can begin disputing them through your bank’s identity theft unit.
Once you have secured your bank, you should reach out to every company involved in the theft, explain that you are a victim of identity theft, and begin a dispute process. After, you should report the identity theft to the credit reporting agencies, and request that a fraud alert be placed on your account. This can help prevent the thief from opening additional accounts in your name.
You can also file an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This report can provide additional steps for securing your identity based on your unique circumstances and can also act as supplemental evidence when disputing accounts and charges with creditors.
It’s also important to keep a record of all communications with the companies involved, as this can aid you in the event you are held liable for an account that you reported as fraudulent, as you’ll have the evidence to help support the fact that you did dispute with the company.
Should I Obtain Legal Representation?
Unfortunately, trying to dispute accounts and charges that are the result of identity theft can be incredibly difficult, as many creditors want to hold someone liable for the funds. As such, you’ll find that this can be an incredibly taxing process, so working with an experienced attorney is critical to fighting for the best possible outcome.
When your identity has been compromised and you need assistance in reclaiming it, the team at Barthel Legal is ready to assist. We understand how frustrating these matters can be and the impact they can have on your finances. That’s why our firm will do everything possible to help you minimize or reverse how identity theft has impacted you. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you during these complicated issues.
