Identity Theft
Your Answer to Identity Theft in New York
Every time technology advances, crime advances with it, as criminals find new tactics to complete their illegal activities. Identity theft is one of those tactics that has risen in popularity with the digital age. This crime occurs when someone gains access to your personal information and uses it to open accounts in your name, make fraudulent purchases, or commit other types of fraud. Identity theft in New York can happen for any number of reasons. Criminals have come up with all sorts of ways to get access to the information they need, including stealing records from businesses, rummaging through garbage, opening your mail, skimming credit card information, or creating a scam to convince you to give out information. If you believe you’ve been the victim of identity theft which has resulted in inaccurate credit reports, the team at Report Credit Problems can help you dispute the fraudulent charges and get them removed from your record. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
How the Law Protects Victims of Identity Theft
When you are the victim of identity theft, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides you with certain rights and protections. These rights are meant to help individuals recover from this crime, so that you don’t incur serious consequences due to the criminal behavior of someone else. As the victim of identity theft, you have the right to:
- Ask the reporting agencies to place fraud alerts in your file, letting potential creditors know that you are a possible identity theft victim.
- Obtain free copies of all the information that is in your file at the three main reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax
- Access to any documents that are related to the fraudulent purchases made or accounts opened using your stolen personal information.
- Request and be granted information from debt collectors about the debts believed to be the result of an identity thief.
- Ask that a reporting agency block certain information from your file if you believe that it is the result of identity theft.
- Prevent businesses from reporting information to the reporting agencies if you believe the debt or information was caused by identity theft.
How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
You can prevent identity theft by taking a few precautions that will help protect your information. The most important rule of thumb: Never give out your personal information over the phone or an unsecured website. This includes your social security number, your mother’s maiden name, or any account number. Keep personal information in a safe place in your home, away from any visitors or workers who may visit your home to do repairs. It’s also a good idea to keep your social security card at home, instead of carrying it along with you every day in a purse or wallet. Shred all documents that have personal information or account info before throwing them away. This even includes offers for pre-approved credit cards. And lastly, don’t open emails or attachments from unknown addresses. All of these tips will help protect your information, but if you find yourself the victim of identity theft in New York, you know who to call. The team at Report Credit Problems is always here for you.