SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IDENTITY THEFT LAWYERS

Identity theft is the type of crime that can cause significant damage to a person's credit history and cause damage to a person's reputation. Consequently, it is important to take immediate action to protect yourself if you learn that your identity has been stolen.

Fortunately, there are many resources that can help you recover from identity theft and protect your identity. Identity theft attorneys are one such resource. These attorneys have experience with protecting the rights of identity theft victims and also understand the rights and remedies that may be available to you under federal and state laws. If yo are a victim of identity theft, contact the Law Office of Peter F. Iocona immediately.

Identity theft and identity fraud are often used interchangeably; however, identity fraud refers to the broad category of crimes involving the use of false identification. Identity theft is a form of identity fraud that specifically involves the use of someone else's personal information.

Identity theft is defined under federal law as the knowing transfer, possession, and/or use of "a means of identification of another person" without any lawful authority and in connection with an activity that would violate federal law or would constitute a felony under state law.

There are a variety of methods that identity thieves use to acquire personal information. Some of the more common methods include:

• Stealing wallets or purses for identity and credit information
• Dumpster diving for discarded mail or other records for identity and credit information
• Stealing mail or redirecting your mail to obtain your identity and credit information
• Telephone scams resulting in dissemination of your identity and credit information
• Eavesdropping and/or surfing over your shoulder in public for your identity and credit information
• Data breaches of financial institutions or major retailers for your identity and credit information
• Internet scams to acquire your identity and credit information
• Hacking to obtain your identity and credit information

The legal process of recovering your identity and clearing your name can be very challenging and time-consuming. Additionally, it often requires:

• Filing a police report
• Filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission
• Contacting financial institutions to initiate fraud alerts or close accounts
• Contacting credit bureaus to remove fraudulent information from a credit report
• Contacting creditors or debt collection agencies

An identity theft lawyer has extensive experience communicating with such entities and understands their legal obligations to cooperate with you, the victim. Also, if you retain an identity theft attorney, these entities, particularly debt collection agencies, will be prohibited from contacting you directly.

Identity theft attorneys can also advise you of all of the rights and the remedies available to you under federal and state law. Under federal law, for example, a victim of identity theft has a right to restitution, not just for the actual harm incurred, but also for the time spent trying to fix such harm. Many state laws provide additional remedies to victims, such as the ability to file suit against the perpetrators and recover additonal damages. An identity theft lawyer can advise you of your rights and any relevant statutes of limitations.