California Lemon Law Blog

A recent study by identity theft and credit management institute Privacy Guard found that more and more people are becoming susceptible to identity theft and their taxes. Due to common misconceptions and lack of knowledge about contacts from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. citizens are at risk of having their identities stolen, according to a recent report by The Sacramento Bee.

According to a 2010 Consumer Complaint Report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 15% of identity theft claims were caused by tax or wage fraud. A survey by Privacy Guard showed that while people are knowledgeable about protecting their identities and information, they are unsure about the IRS. Many mistakenly believed the IRS can contact them through email instead of realizing this can be an identity theft trap.

In order to avoid tax-related fraud from affecting you or a loved one, be aware of any suspicious contact concerning tax refunds, filing, or checks. Also, make sure your tax preparer is legitimate and mail your tax documents in a secure way. When you are finished with documents that contain confidential information thread them. Do not put them in a trash bin where they can be accessed by an identity thief. Also, secure the information on your computer to keep thieves from accessing your personal data.

Identity theft can damage your finances and can be difficult to prove or remove from your financial records. For help, contact San Bernardino identity theft attorney, Howard D. Silver. For more information, call the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver at (866) 495-3666.

In what is being described by prosecutors as one of the country’s largest high-tech bank robbery, a 30-year-old Canadian man is facing sentencing up to 22 years after defrauding 22 major U.S. banks for a total of $1.5 million. During the operation, the man, the only one charged in the case, accessed the personal information of almost 16,000 people, stole approximately 500 identities to obtain credit cards, and opened over 100 commercial mailboxes through fake or stolen identities, according to the Associated Press.

The case recently came to a close after five years of investigation and litigation, including almost a year-long sentencing phase and the involvement of 25 investigators. During the investigation and trial, the 30-year-old Canadian man has been identified as the crime leader. The scheme cost U.S. Bank $76,000, $271,000 from Citibank, and $248,000 from Discover. Other losses were felt by identity theft victims, due to credit card fraud and other forms of wrongdoing.

Identity theft is not a victimless crime. Those who have their identity stolen can suffer financial losses, unwarranted debt, and severe harm to both their reputation and credit. While the losses caused by identity theft can be rectified, such processes can be lengthy and difficult for victims on their own. California identity theft attorney, Howard D. Silver, can fight for the restoration and protection of an identity theft victim’s finances and reputation. For more information, call the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver at (866) 49-LEMON.

The act of stealing another person’s identity is not a crime unique to this generation. Although identity theft has risen to great prominence in the U.S. today, such acts have been around for centuries. The difference is that today, identity theft can be accomplished in a great many more ways than was previously possible before the creation of today’s technology.

Because identity theft occurs so frequently and in so many ways, it is important to recognize common identity theft traps in Los Angeles and learn how to avoid such techniques in order to protect yourself and your loved ones. Frequent I.D. theft traps today include:

• Skimming – Criminals create clone cards they can use freely to access another’s funds.
• Phishing – I.D. thieves pose as a trustworthy businesses in communications with victims to obtain personal information or direct victims to fake websites where they steal information.
• Trash Rummaging – Criminals sift through a person’s trash to find important documents which have not been properly shredded to discover personal and financial information.
• Social Network Hacking – Giving out your password or allowing applications to access your private information can lead to vital information being stolen.
• Stealing – Simply, a thief can steal a person’s credit cards, social security card, checks, or other personal documents.

Being targeted for identity theft can wreak havoc on one’s finances and credit score. Although identity theft is reprehensible, it can be difficult for the victim to obtain relief from the thief. Therefore, California identity theft victim attorney Howard Silver can help with the other players in the equation; creditors, debt collectors and credit bureaus. For more information, call (866) 495–3666 to find out how we can help.

Recent investigations have found that there have been more than 1,480 occurrences of unjust imprisonment over the past five years by the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department, sometimes as a result of wrongfully identifying the criminal. Interestingly, identity theft has been part of the problem, with victims of the crime being accused of perpetrating unlawful activity by someone using their names, according to The Los Angeles Times.

When a person is victimized by identity theft, he or she is often left to clean up the mess that has been left by the perpetrators. Identity theft victims can be subject to debt that has been accrued by wrongdoers and may be subject to unfair debt collection practices by companies they now owe money to. Debt collection agencies may call repeatedly, misrepresent the amount owed, or practice a number of different unfair practices in order to be paid.

When compounded by identity theft problems, the sudden and illegally-created debt caused by criminal activity can wreak havoc in a person’s life. Without the help of an experienced identity theft attorney, a victim may not be able to wipe the unfair debt from his or her record or stop credit bureaus from attempting to collect what he or she does not truly owe.

If you have been the subject of identity theft and are trying to protect yourself from further harm, Southern California identity theft victim lawyer Howard D. Silver can help. To learn more about how Mr. Silver can help you clear your debt caused by identity theft, call (866) 495-366.