Fix Identity TheftIn Florida

The bad new is identity theft is a huge problem in Florida, and identity thieves come in different guises. Sometimes these thieves are those secret professional hackers that you see on TV. However, they may also be people you would never suspect – such as bank tellers, IRS agents, doctor’s office assistants, or even members of your own family.

It can be hard to believe that someone you know and trust might steal your info and use it for personal gain, but it happens. In fact, we see cases of “internal identity theft” every day, where people trust their Social Security numbers and credit card info to the wrong people. Many of these thieves get caught, sure, but their arrest does not fix the credit report damage inflicted on their victims.

The Steps to Recovery after Identity Theft

Sadly, it isn’t easy to repair credit reports damaged by identity theft. There are several steps in the process, and victims must act quickly and do the following:

File a Police Report

Full credit repair is nearly impossible without a police report, so this is the most important step. Any victim of identity theft must file a police report, even if the thief is a family member. Often, when identity theft victims know the culprit, they are reluctant to get the police involved. However, the credit reporting agencies and lenders involved won’t help you unless you have a police report. If you have any qualms, remember that you’re the victim, and this is the only way to restore your credit reports.

Call the Credit Bureaus

There are three major credit reporting agencies, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, and they must be notified about your identity theft. When contacted by an identity theft victim, the credit bureaus do two things. First, they freeze your credit access so that no new accounts can be opened in your name. Then they send you free copies of your credit reports.

Find and Report Unauthorized Items on your Credit Reports

Look over your credit reports and make a note of every unauthorized transaction and fraudulent account. Next, write dispute letters to the correct credit reporting agencies and lenders linked with these accounts. Remember to include a copy of your police report with every letter sent.

Wait 30 Days

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the credit reporting agencies must investigate your claims within 30 days. If they fail to respond in time, or if fraudulent items remain on your credit reports after those 30 days have passed, the credit bureau in question is in violation of the FCRA. At this point, you should file a lawsuit.

We Recover your Credit Reports from Identity Theft Damage

Luckily, Florida identity theft victims can leave this complicated process to the professionals. At Credit Repair Lawyers of America, we will fix your credit reports after identity theft. Our team of attorneys and credit experts will guide you through every step. We’ll even write dispute letters on your behalf and organize your documents.

Finally, if we need to file a lawsuit to get the job done, you still won’t pay a penny. This is because the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires the defendants in successful actions to cover our costs and fees. In some settled cases, our clients even receive money for damages.