[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/have-you-been-the-victim-of-identity-theft#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/have-you-been-the-victim-of-identity-theft","headline":"Have You Been the Victim of Identity Theft?","name":"Have You Been the Victim of Identity Theft?","description":"As the number of data breaches into corporate networks increases, so does the crime of identity theft.\u00a0 The Federal Trade Commission reports that they received 4.8 million identity theft complaints in 2020.\u00a0 That only represents the number reported, the true number is likely much higher than that.\u00a0 Once your identity...","datePublished":"2021-06-29","dateModified":"2025-09-19","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/attorneys\/matis-h-abarbanel#Person","name":"Matis Abarbanel","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/attorneys\/matis-h-abarbanel","identifier":55,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/matis-abarbanel_avatar-96x96.png","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/matis-abarbanel_avatar-96x96.png","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Loan Lawyers, LLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/icon-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/icon-logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Credit-card-debt-e1601664717946.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Credit-card-debt-e1601664717946.jpg","height":800,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/have-you-been-the-victim-of-identity-theft","about":["Credit Card and Debt Defense"],"wordCount":736,"articleBody":"As the number of data breaches into corporate networks increases, so does the crime of identity theft.\u00a0 The Federal Trade Commission reports that they received 4.8 million identity theft complaints in 2020.\u00a0 That only represents the number reported, the true number is likely much higher than that.\u00a0 Once your identity has been stolen, you can expect various credit accounts opened in your name.We have even seen criminals finance cars using a stolen identity.\u00a0 If you have been the victim of identity theft, the time to act is now.\u00a0 The longer you wait, the more damage will occur.\u00a0 The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires the credit bureaus to essentially freeze your credit report once you have reported an identity theft.\u00a0 One of the first steps is to go file a police report.\u00a0 The next step is to call an identity theft attorney who can guide you through the process of restoring your credit.Once these criminals open credit accounts in your name, do you think they are going to pay the debts off?\u00a0 The answer is obviously no.\u00a0 The repercussions of that are that you will eventually be sued for not paying these debts and your credit will be destroyed.The key is to be proactive and nip these problems in the bud before they balloon to something much greater.\u00a0 If you have been the victim of identity theft, we may be able to help you restore your credit and return to peace of mind.\u00a0 We will assist you in obtaining a copy of your credit report and disputing any inquiries and accounts that were established by the criminals.Should the credit bureaus and the furnishers of the fake accounts not remove them 30 days after the dispute process has been initiated, you may be able to sue the credit bureaus and the furnishers under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.So, you may be thinking that you will just go online to each credit bureau’s website buy your report, and start the dispute process.\u00a0 This is a terrible idea!\u00a0 You need to look at the fine print.\u00a0 If you buy the report from Equifax, Experian, or Transunion, you may agree that you will not sue them in court for any violations.There is always the \u201cclick here to accept the terms and conditions\u201d box when you buy something.\u00a0 Have you ever read the terms of conditions? No one does, but you are entering into a legally binding contract if you check that box.\u00a0 That contract will likely contain a waiver of your right to sue them in court.\u00a0 Do not agree to anything with the credit bureaus without first obtaining competent legal advice.You will be best served by speaking with an identity theft lawyer who knows how to properly guide you through the process to make sure that you preserve your rights.\u00a0 If you have been the victim of identity theft and are not sure what to do, there is no need to go at it alone.Call\u00a0 Loan Lawyers today for your free consultation with an identity theft attorney who can advise you of your rights and help you through this process.\u00a0 Call us now at 1-888-FIGHT-13 for a free consultation with an identity theft attorney, you will be glad you did. People Also Ask:What should you do if you are a victim of identity theft?How do I know if I’ve been a victim of identity theft?Who is a likely victim of identity theft?What should someone do if they feel they have been a victim of online identity theft?About the AuthorLatest PostsMatis AbarbanelMatis Abarbanel is the founding partner and senior attorney at Loan Lawyers in South Florida. He focuses his practice on consumer rights, helping homeowners navigate issues such as foreclosure and financial hardship. Matis also brings a wealth of experience from his previous work in personal injury law. As a devout Chasidic Jew, he is committed to making a positive impact in his community and dedicates his efforts to charitable initiatives through his non-profit organization, The Center, which aids at-risk Jewish youth. Matis actively serves clients across South Florida and is passionate about empowering individuals to secure their rights and achieve a better future.When Foreclosure Errors by Lenders Lead to Legal Remedies for Homeowners in Fort LauderdaleWhat Homeowners Can Do When Loan Documents Contain Forged or Altered SignaturesUnderstanding Florida\u2019s Debt Forgiveness Programs and IRS Rules"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Have You Been the Victim of Identity Theft?","item":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/have-you-been-the-victim-of-identity-theft#breadcrumbitem"}]}]