As the holiday season is right around the corner, you may be preparing for all the upcoming festivities and reflecting on all you are grateful for. This feeling of appreciation makes many feel charitable, as seen by the fact that December alone accounts for an estimated one-third of all donations in a given year. Though it can be unpleasant to think about, some will prey on the kindness of others, using charities as a scam to steal their identities. As such, staying alert to the most common holiday scams this season is critical if you want to give back to your community while protecting yourself. The following blog explores what you must know and how a San Diego County identity theft lawyer can help if you believe you’ve been impacted.
What Scams Are Most Common Around the Holidays?
The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year for charities as many feel more inclined to donate and give back during this period. Unfortunately, others will take advantage of these times, manipulating the kindness of others so they can commit identity theft. As such, one of the most common scams that float around during these times is fake charities. Though you may be inclined to give back, it’s important to ensure that you’re giving to a legitimate organization that will use the funds for good while protecting your identity, so you should stay vigilant and look into the organizations that you’d like to give to.
Another common scam that identity thieves tend to utilize around the holidays is gift card scams. With hundreds of thousands exchanged during this period, purchasing these from legitimate and trusted sources is critical. Unfortunately, many find these cards advertised on websites or through advertisements offering a great deal, only to spend the money and discover the cards are worthless. In addition to providing them with your credit card information, you likely provided personal information that can be used to take your identity.
You may also encounter social media, package delivery, and spoofed online storefronts of legitimate businesses.
What Should I Do if I Believe I’m the Victim of Holiday Scams?
If you believe you are the victim of holiday scams this season, taking immediate action to help remedy the situation and mitigate damages is critical. The first thing you should do if you have suspicions that your identity has been remedied is to request a fraud alert be placed on your credit report. This will help prevent identity thieves from opening more names in your account, as the creditors must confirm your identity first. Next, you should contact the impacted institutions, like your bank, credit card, and creditor to report the identity theft.
Finally, you can file a dispute with the credit reporting agencies to have any fraudulent information on your credit report removed. However, compiling all the information necessary can be challenging, as the companies require a considerable amount of information to aid in their investigation. As such, working with an experienced attorney from Barthel Legal is in your best interest. Our team understands how devastating it can be to learn that your kindness has been taken advantage of, which is why we will do everything possible to fight for you during these times. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in filing a dispute to reclaim your identity.
