When you and your spouse tie the knot, you may envision the life you will build together. However, years down the line, the last thing you expect is for them to bulldoze everything you’ve accomplished by stealing your identity. Though most people assume their spouse would never be capable of something like identity theft, spousal identity theft is common. It’s imperative to understand what spousal identity theft is, the most common signs you should look for, and the importance of working with a Michigan identity theft lawyer to help you secure your identity if you are a victim at the hands of your spouse. The following blog can help you navigate these troubling times.
What Is Spousal Identity Theft?
As the name suggests, spousal identity theft occurs when your spouse or ex-spouse uses your information for fraudulent purposes.
Unfortunately, spousal identity theft can be incredibly difficult not only to prosecute but also to identify. This is because spouses often share or have easy access to personal details like social security numbers, bank PINs, login information, and bank accounts.
As you can imagine, there are a number of reasons that spousal identity theft can have a considerable impact on your life. Not only do you have to deal with the financial impacts of identity theft, like a lowered credit score or inability to secure loans, but it can also take a toll on your relationship, as you may no longer trust your spouse, given this betrayal.
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the most common signs of identity theft so you can respond as quickly as possible to mitigate potential damages in Michigan. As such, you should be on the lookout for the following signs:
- A sudden drop in credit
- Calls or letters from debt collectors in regard to accounts you do not recognize
- Credit rejection letters
- Benefits in your name that you never applied for
- Missing documents containing personal information, like IDs or mail containing account information
- Unrequested bank account authorizations
- A rejected tax return
What Steps Should I Take if This Impacts Me?
If you have reason to believe your spouse has stolen your identity, understanding your legal options is critical. Generally, the first thing you should do is immediately contact all impacted parties, like your financial institutions, health insurance provider, or credit card issuer to report the identity theft and dispute any action your spouse may have taken while pretending to be you.
Next, you should contact the credit reporting bureaus to dispute the inclusion of any fraudulent information on your account while also requesting a fraud alert be placed on your account. This will prevent additional accounts from opening in your name, as the creditor needs to confirm your identity when a fraud alert is present.
Finally, you should file a police report. Though it can be difficult to file a report against your spouse, doing so is critical to protecting yourself in these matters. For example, without a police report, your bank may be unable to accept your claim. Similarly, if your spouse used your name to commit fraud in the past, having a report that they stole your identity can help clear your name.
As you can see, identity theft, when perpetrated by your spouse, can wreak havoc on your life, which is why it’s critical to connect with an experienced identity theft defense attorney with Lyngklip & Associates to discuss your legal options. Our firm understands how frustrating these matters can be, especially when your spouse is the perpetrator. That is why we will do everything in our power to help you during these complicated matters. Contact us today to learn more.
