Last Updated on: 17th October 2023, 10:57 pm

Brooklyn Identity Theft Lawyer – Who to Call if You’re a Victim

Identity theft can be a nightmare. You think everything’s fine, then suddenly you’re getting calls from bill collectors about purchases you never made. Or you try to open a new credit card and get denied because your credit score’s in the toilet. Not fun.

If you’ve been hit by identity theft in Brooklyn, don’t panic. You have rights under the law. And a good Brooklyn identity theft lawyer can help you exercise those rights to clear your name and get compensation.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit fraud, like:

• Opening credit cards or getting loans in your name
• Filing taxes to collect your refund
• Getting medical care using your health insurance
• Renting an apartment and then not paying rent

The identity thief may steal your Social Security number, birth date, bank account numbers, or other info. They can get this through:

• Stealing your wallet or mail
• Hacking into your computer or email
• Digging through your trash to find personal documents
• Pretending to be an employer or landlord and requesting personal info

However they get your details, identity theft is a crime in New York. You are a victim, even if you didn’t do anything wrong. An identity theft lawyer can help prove your innocence and make sure the thief faces justice.

Signs You May Be a Victim

How do you know if someone has stolen your identity? Here are some common red flags:

• You get bills for accounts you never opened.
• Debt collectors call about purchases you didn’t make.
• Your credit report shows loans or addresses you don’t recognize.
• You’re denied credit because your score dropped without reason.
• The IRS says you didn’t report all your income, when you know you did.
• Your health insurance rejects your legitimate medical claims.
• The police call about crimes committed in your name.

If you see any of these signs, take action right away. Call a Brooklyn identity theft attorney who can launch an investigation and clear your name.

Your Legal Rights Against Identity Theft

Under New York law, identity theft victims have the right to:

• Fix errors on your credit report – You can dispute any fraudulent accounts or charges. The credit bureaus must investigate and correct any errors. Your Brooklyn lawyer can force them to remove the fraudulent items if they drag their feet.
• Freeze your credit – Stop thieves from opening more accounts by freezing your credit reports. A freeze means creditors can’t access your report without your OK. Your lawyer can make sure the credit bureaus grant your freeze request.
• Get copies of your records – Your attorney can subpoena banks, creditors, and collectors to hand over any records related to the identity theft. This can help prove the accounts aren’t really yours.
• Block debt collectors – You can tell collectors the debt isn’t yours and to stop contacting you. If they don’t stop, your lawyer can take legal action to make them cease collections.
• Get fraudulent charges dropped – If thieves made charges in your name, your attorney can often get those charges removed and reversed. No more owing for stuff you never bought!
• Claim lost wages – If you miss work dealing with the identity theft, New York law allows you to recover lost wages. Your lawyer will make sure the thief compensates you for lost income.
• Get damages – You may be awarded up to $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater, for what you suffered. Your attorney will demand maximum compensation.

A seasoned Brooklyn identity theft lawyer knows how to use these rights to fix your credit, clear your name, stop collections, and get you money damages. Don’t let thieves rob you – fight back with the law on your side!

Criminal Identity Theft Charges

Identity theft isn’t just a civil matter – it’s also a crime in New York. An experienced Brooklyn criminal defense lawyer can help if you’re wrongly accused of identity theft. Possible charges include:

• Identity theft in the first degree – A Class D felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison. This applies to anyone who commits identity theft to obtain over $100,000 or to facilitate terrorism or other felonies.
• Identity theft in the second degree – A Class E felony with up to 4 years in prison. This covers identity theft to obtain between $3,000 and $100,000.
• Identity theft in the third degree – A Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail. This applies to identity theft under $3,000 that doesn’t facilitate other crimes.
• Identity theft in the fourth degree – A Class B misdemeanor with up to 3 months jail time. This is for simple identity theft without profit motive.

An aggressive criminal defense lawyer can argue you had no intent to commit identity theft. Or they may be able to get charges reduced or dismissed through effective negotiation. Don’t go it alone against prosecutors – a skilled attorney can protect your future.

How a Brooklyn Identity Theft Lawyer Can Help

Recovering from identity theft feels like an uphill battle. Creditors keep hounding you, your credit’s wrecked, and thieves are still abusing your name. The stress can feel crushing.

A smart identity theft lawyer takes this burden off your shoulders. They know how to do things like:

• Contact credit bureaus and creditors to fix your credit reports
• Draft official letters asserting your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Negotiate with debt collectors to stop harassment and remove fraudulent debts
• Gather evidence to prove your innocence if you’re accused of identity theft
• Calculate exactly how much money you lost to demand proper compensation
• Take your case to court if creditors or collectors won’t cooperate

With an attorney handling the details, you can focus on moving forward. And you’ve got an experienced legal expert fighting in your corner.

Choosing the Best Identity Theft Lawyer in Brooklyn

Not every lawyer has the skills to take on identity thieves. Look for a Brooklyn attorney with a proven track record of:

• Recovering maximum compensation for victims
• Removing fraudulent items from credit reports
• Forcing debt collectors and creditors to stop illegal harassment
• Defending clients from bogus identity theft accusations
• Resolving identity theft cases efficiently and affordably

Also make sure your lawyer understands the emotional impact of identity theft. They should treat you with compassion and understanding.

A lawyer who checks all these boxes will aggressively defend your rights as an identity theft victim. They’ll have the expertise to clear up the mess and get you the maximum recovery under the law.

Act Fast to Protect Your Rights

If you’ve been victimized by identity theft in Brooklyn, time is of the essence. Under New York law, you normally have just two years to take legal action from the date of discovery.

Don’t delay – the sooner you call a lawyer, the sooner you can start fixing problems and holding thieves accountable. A seasoned Brooklyn identity theft attorney will immediately launch an investigation and build a strong case on your behalf.

Don’t struggle through this alone. Contact an experienced identity theft lawyer and take back control of your life!

References

New York State Attorney General’s Resource Center

New York Senate Bill S190.77

New York Court Help for Identity Theft Victims