As a consumer, you work hard for your money. That’s why it can be devastating when someone accesses your information to open accounts in your name, drain your bank account, or make purchases using your credit card. Unfortunately, identity theft can be incredibly challenging to recover from, which is why preventing this from occurring is critical. The following blog explores what you should know about how identity theft can affect your life and the measures you can take to help protect yourself from becoming a victim. You will also learn the importance of working with a Michigan identity theft lawyer if you have reason to believe someone has compromised your identity.
What Impact Can Identity Theft Have on My Life?
If you are the victim of identity theft in Michigan, it’s critical to understand that this can have lasting impacts on your life. Generally, the most common adverse effect you’ll find is that your credit score can plummet as a result of the theft. Often, thieves take the personal information of unsuspecting consumers and use it to make purchases or take out loans in the name of the victim, leaving them wholly responsible for the bill. Because the consumer may not know about the purchase until after the payment is due, it can result in the accumulation of debt and missed payments. As a result, your credit score can plummet, meaning you can be denied loans, housing, credit card applications, and even some employment opportunities.
In addition to your credit score falling, you’ll find that identity theft can often lead to creditor harassment and lawsuits. When you owe funds, even ones that you didn’t authorize, creditors and debt collectors will contact you in regard to payments. Unfortunately, debt collectors are notoriously persistent and often borderline abusive. In many instances, you can be sued over a debt you did not authorize.
As you can imagine, the stress of identity theft can take a toll on your mental and physical health. Victims often feel anxious, depressed, and helpless as they try to navigate these matters. The constant phone calls from collectors and lawsuits hanging over your head can cause insomnia, weight loss, and even high blood pressure, all of which can negatively impact your health and well-being.
What Steps Can I Take to Protect Myself?
Though there are unfortunately no steps you can take to completely protect yourself from identity theft, there are a number of steps you can take to deter thieves and secure your information.
Generally, the most important thing you can do is to be wary of where your information is stored online. You should always check the legitimacy of websites before entering your credit card information. Additionally, it’s in your best interest to avoid using your debit card to make online purchases, as there are fewer protections. You should delete your personal information from online retail stores once the purchase has been fulfilled. Though it may be more convenient to leave your information stored on the site, manually entering the data can help protect you from theft.
One of the easiest steps you can take to help protect yourself is to turn on two-factor authentication on your accounts. This requires a second form of verification before you can access accounts, like a code sent to your phone or email. By enabling this feature, thieves who have your passwords may be unable to gain access to the account.
If you believe you are the victim of identity theft, connecting with an experienced consumer defense attorney is in your best interest. At Lyngklip & Associates, we understand how overwhelming and difficult these times can be. That is why our firm can help provide you with the best legal representation possible to help you in the fight for justice. Contact us today to learn more.
