Discovering that someone has accessed your personal information without your permission to use it for their own financial gain can be incredibly upsetting. Not only can this be incredibly violating as the thief will have all of your sensitive details, but it can also be incredibly damaging to your finances. As such, if you have been impacted by identity theft, recovery can seem impossible. However, with the assistance of a Michigan identity theft lawyer and the following blog, you can learn the steps you must take to recover from this difficult matter.
What Steps Can I Take to Recover After Identity Theft?
When you discover you are the victim of identity theft in Michigan, there are several important steps you can take to help secure your information. Generally, the most important thing you should do if you have been impacted is to immediately contact the credit reporting agencies to request a fraud alert be placed on your account. This can help prevent additional accounts from opening in your name, as creditors will be required to confirm your identity before extending lines of credit.
Next, you should file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This report is imperative, as it ensures the government has a record of the theft, in case there is additional suspicious activity on your tax return, for example. However, filing this report can also help, as you will receive a personalized guide to help you in recovery. You can also submit a copy of your report when disputing the inclusion of this information on your credit report.
Finally, you’ll want to contact and dispute any erroneous and fraudulent charges with your bank, credit card issuer, and the reporting agencies. This can help limit your liability for any purchases or transfers you did not authorize and remove the fraudulent information from your credit report, thus improving your credit score and aiding your eligibility to obtain loans and open accounts.
How Can I Prevent This From Happening in the Future?
There are several steps you can take to help secure your accounts and protect your information to reduce the risk that you will be a victim of identity theft in the future. Generally, one of the most important things you can do to secure your accounts is to enable two-factor authentication. This adds a layer of security to your accounts by requiring verification after you’ve entered your username and password. Typically, a unique code will be sent to your phone number or email, meaning anyone who has access to your login information will be unable to access the accounts without having the authentication code.
Another important step you can take to help prevent identity theft is to familiarize yourself with the most common phishing scams. These are schemes designed to look like communications from legitimate companies and businesses with the intention of obtaining your personal information, like log-ins, social security numbers, and identity details. Staying up to date with the most common methods used by scammers is critical to understanding when communications are real.
As you can see, identity theft can take a serious toll on your life, which is why it’s critical to connect with an experienced identity theft attorney with Lyngklip & Associates to help you recover. Our dedicated and experienced team understands the devastation identity theft can cause, which is why we will do everything in our power to fight for you during these matters. Contact us today to learn how we can fight for you during these troubling times.
