ID THEFT NEWS: WEEKLY UPDATE

Posted: May 21, 2013 by administrator in FCRA
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Fair Credit Reporting Act Lawyers Help Identity Theft Victims

Over 12 million people an identity theft victim every year.  The harmful effects of identity theft are life changing and last a lifetime.  Victims may not even know their identity has been stolen until they receive debt collection calls for debts they do not owe.  Others may discover they are an identity theft victim when they are denied credit or cannot get a job because of false background check information. 

What can consumers do to protect their identities and credit reports? The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides federal rights to identity theft victims. For example, identity theft victims have the right to request two (2) free credit reports every 12 months.  Also, fraud victims can add a fraud alert (90 day and extended 7 year) to their credit files with Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.  Consumers also have the right to dispute credit report errors.  Liability is triggered under the FCRA when the credit bureaus receive a dispute from a consumer.  The furnisher of the information (i.e., creditor) does not have any civil liability until the credit bureaus notify the furnisher of the dispute.    This means consumers should always send their dispute to the credit bureaus.  

Once the credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) receive a consumer dispute, they must conduct a reasonable “reinvestigation.”  The credit reporting agencies must block fraudulent information in 4 business days if they receive an identity theft report.

Download your free identity theft report HERE. 

If the credit reporting agencies break the law, then consumers have the right to sue them in federal court for actual and statutory damages, plus attorney’s fees.  Micah Adkins represents victims of identity theft in federal court all over the country.  Our firm includes lawyers licensed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.  We can meet with you in person or by phone for a free consultation.

 Here are some of the identity theft stories we are following:

FLORIDA

New Fraud Fighting Program Helps Battle Identity Theft – WJHG.com
WJHG-TV
Florida’s welfare recipients are the latest target of identity thieves stealing from those who need it most. The state says it needs to stop. “For some reason Florida has the highest per capita rate of reported identity theft in the nation,” said David …

GEORGIA

Children at risk for identity theft
Marietta Daily Journal
With summer months approaching, your children may be spending more time online. Between multiplayer online games, social networking sites and the information stored on their mobile devices, your children may be more susceptible to identity theft.

Georgia men plead to million-dollar id theft/fraud scheme
Ville Platte Gazette
Hartfield faces a mandatory two years in prison consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, restitution, and three years of supervised release for pleading guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft. A sentencing date has not been set …

NORTH CAROLINA

Greenville, NC

Identity Theft Week: How to protect yourself
WNCT
You hope that you’ll never be a victim of identity theft, but the cold reality is that millions of us are every year. We heard a financial crimes detective say earlier this week that, in his opinion, there is no way to completely protect yourself. Not …

OKLAHOMA

Identity Theft: A Permanent Crime – KXII
KXII-TV
DURANT, OK-The Federal Trade Commission said ten million Americans fall victim to identity theft every year. One of them, a North Texas woman, struggled for months to clean up her credit and her reputation after her personal information was stolen last …

TEXAS

Houston, Texas

Spring man among three charged in stolen identity refund fraud conspiracy
Your Houston News
HOUSTON – Jason Maclaskey, 33, has been charged with conspiracy, theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft related to his participation in a scheme to use stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns, United States Attorney Kenneth …

Longview, Texas

Ore. authorities: ID theft ring hit 800 mailboxes – The Daily News
Longview Daily News
The Mail Tribune said federal charges of identity theft, fraud and conspiracy have been filed against two men, Eduardo Navarro and Dallas Lee Tedford. The federal arrest warrant names Kayla Ann Strange and Robert Powelson. Additional suspects will …

Lubbock, Texas

California man in Lubbock County jail faces federal false ID charges
LubbockOnline.com
Federal agents on Monday, May 13, arrested a California man on identity theft and other charges in connection with a scheme to steal money from another man’s bank account. Auston Chad Cohen, 29, of Lancaster, Calif., was already in the Lubbock County …

NATIONAL NEWS

Spending: What you need to know about identity theft
Chicago Tribune
About 12.6 million people were victims of identity theft in 2012, an increase of more than one million from the previous year, reports Javelin Strategy & Research. One likely reason: a spike in website data breaches. Javelin found that nearly one in …

Do these stories sound familiar to you?  Are you an identity theft victim? Do you have credit report errors? Have you disputed the credit report errors to the credit reporting agencies?   Have the credit bureaus “verified” fraudulent information on your credit report and refused to delete the information from your report? We represent identity theft victims in federal court all over the country.

 Contact us 24/7 for a free case review at 1-800-263-9091.

The call is free, and so is the consultation. 

 

ID THEFT NEWS: WEEKLY UPDATE

Posted: May 14, 2013 by administrator in FCRA
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Fair Credit Reporting Act Lawyers Help Identity Theft Victims

Over 12 million people an identity theft victim every year.  The harmful effects of identity theft are life changing and last a lifetime.  Victims may not even know their identity has been stolen until they receive debt collection calls for debts they do not owe.  Others may discover they are an identity theft victim when they are denied credit or cannot get a job because of false background check information.   

What can consumers do to protect their identities and credit report? The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that provides identity theft victims with rights. Identity theft victims have the right to request two (2) free credit reports every 12 months and can place a fraud alert (90 day and extended 7 year) on their credit file.  The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) also gives victims of fraud or identity theft the right to dispute credit report errors.  Victims may have errors on their credit reports, such as incorrect accounts, names, public records, addresses, date of birth or inquiries. 

Once the credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) receive a consumer dispute, they must conduct a reasonable “reinvestigation.”  The credit reporting agencies must block fraudulent information in 4 business days if they receive an identity theft report.

Download your free identity theft report HERE. 

If the credit reporting agencies break the law, then consumers have the right to sue them in federal court for actual and statutory damages, plus attorney’s fees.  Micah Adkins represents victims of identity theft in federal court all over the country.  Our firm includes lawyers licensed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.  We can meet with you in person or by phone for a free consultation.

Here are some of the identity theft stories we are following:  

ALABAMA

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham woman pleads guilty to identity theft scam – WBRC.com
WBRC
Investigators say Daphne Tate, 42, was part of a scheme that involved recruiting homeless people to cash fraudulent checks. Tate pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, possessing a business check stolen from the U.S. mail, and possessing a …

Homewood, Alabama

Homewood police arrest woman for fraud, identity theft – WBRC.com
WBRC
Homewood police have arrested a woman in connection to multiple crimes including identity theft, fraud and burglary. Homewood officers arrested 31-year-old Miranda Dawley of Birmingham on Tuesday, April 30. She is charged with two fraudulent uses of …

FLORIDA

Naples, Florida

Keep Your Identity: Remember to check your free credit report at least once …
Naples Daily News
Have you ever performed the basics of early detection of identity theft, something you can and should be doing for yourself three times a year? No? Now is a good time to start. After you read this article go over to your computer and, like the …

Wesley Chapel, Florida

Florida woman pleads guilty in St. Louis to federal charges of ID theft
The Republic
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Missouri said in a release Monday that 28-year-old Tania Henderson, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, pleaded guilty in St. Louis to one felony count of theft of public money and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

LOUISIANA

Lafayette, Louisiana

One Acadiana Family Experienced Identity Theft First-Hand
KATC Lafayette News
Imagine going to buy a house and finding out you already own a house, plus a car and multiple loans but you are in possession of none it. We’re talking about identity theft and that’s exactly what happened to one Acadiana family. Gerrad and Donna Green …

MISSISSIPPI

Jackson, Mississippi

Clinton woman to serve time for identity theft
Jackson Clarion Ledger
Hinds County Circuit Court Judge William A. Gowan sentenced Bilbo to serve 10 years for identity theft with five suspended and four years post release supervision. She was also ordered to pay $13,825.35 in restitution to the victims, $1,000 to the …

NORTH CAROLINA

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Identity theft – Eric James Lent
Jacksonville Daily News
Eric James Lent, 27, of Lucky Street in Sneads Ferry, was charged April 25 by Onslow County Sheriff’s Office with two counts of identity theft, felony conspiracy, two counts of attempting to obtain property by false pretenses, obtaining property by …

Yadkinville, North Carolina

Yadkin County deputies charge man with identity theft
myfox8.com
YADKINVILLE, N.C. — Yadkin County deputies arrested a man accused of identity theft involving a victim living out of state. Jose Luis Garcia-Rodriguez, 32, of Yadkinville, was arrested and charged with 25 counts each of identity theft and obtaining …

SOUTH CAROLINA

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

SC looking at expanding ID theft protection for taxpayers
WBTW – Myrtle Beach and Florence SC
South Carolina could be expanding the free identity theft protection that it offers, in response to the theft of millions of taxpayers’ personal information from the Department of Revenue last year. At the state Budget and Control Board meeting …

TEXAS

Brownsville, Texas

Police: Quick action can combat identity theft
Brownsville Herald
Her quick actions prevented the fraudulent purchase, and authorities say anyone who could be the victim of theft should act just as quickly to protect assets and information. “Everyone should be aware of what they are doing with their identity nowadays …

Dallas, Texas

NY officials: ID theft ring stole from victims who used credit cards at …
Dallas Morning News (blog)
New York officials said alleged members of an identity theft ring used an electronic encoder and other tools inside a Manhattan hotel room to steal money from nearly 400 people who used credit and debit cards at a Mesquite gas station. The four …

Tyler, Texas

Tyler police charge 21 in identity theft investigation [VIDEO]
Tyler Morning Telegraph
The suspects were going online and obtaining multiple loans, using the victims’ identities, and have the funds transferred into the suspect’s bank accounts that they had set up. The victims were not aware of the fictitious loans in their names until …

Tyler, Texas

Victims of identity theft shocked
KLTV
The wanted list for suspects involved in a huge East Texas identity theft ring is now down to five. Tyler police identified 21 suspects who they say took out loans in other people’s names, then had that money transferred into their bank account …

NATIONAL NEWS

Epidemic of ID theft hits seniors
MSN Money
When it comes to identity thieves vs. the Internal Revenue Service, the crooks have the edge. For now. That was the consensus at a recent congressional hearing examining what the Senate Special Committee on Aging calls an epidemic of identity theft …

When a wife commits identity theft
Eagle-Tribune
A wife takes out a credit card in her husband’s name without his knowledge, and they get divorced, can the husband claim identity theft? Absolutely! Unless they have power of attorney, people who open an account in a name other than their own have …

Why data theft poses a big risk to small businesses
USA TODAY
After all, many owners think, computer hackers and identity thieves only target big corporations. In fact most small businesses in the USA already have been exposed, or likely will be soon. The loss or theft of private information can be expensive … 

Do any of these stories sound familiar to you?  Are you an identity theft victim? Do you have credit report errors? Have you disputed the credit report errors?   Have the credit bureaus “verified” fraudulent information on your credit report and refused to delete the information from your report?

Contact us 24/7 for a free case review at 1-800-263-9091.

The call is free, and so is the consultation. 

 

                                            

ID THEFT NEWS: WEEKLY UPDATE

Posted: April 28, 2013 by administrator in FCRA
Tags: , , , , , , ,
0

Fair Credit Reporting Act lawyers help identity theft victims. 

Over 12 million people an identity theft victim every year.  The harmful effects of identity theft are life changing and last a lifetime.  Victims may not even know their identity has been stolen until they receive debt collection calls for debts they do not owe.  Others may discover they are an identity theft victim after they are denied credit or turned down for a job.   credit or employment, or find credit report errors.    

What can consumers do to protect their identities and credit report? The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that provides identity theft victims with rights. Identity theft victims have the right to request two (2) free credit reports every 12 months and can place a fraud alert (90 day and extended 7 year) on their credit file.   

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) also gives victims of fraud or identity theft the right to dispute credit report errors.  Victims may have errors on their credit reports, such as incorrect accounts, names, public records, addresses, date of birth or inquiries.  Once the credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) receive a consumer dispute, they must conduct a reasonable “reinvestigation.”  The credit reporting agencies must block fraudulent information in 4 business days if they receive an identity theft report.  

Download your free identity theft report HERE. 

If the credit reporting agencies break the law, then consumers have the right to sue them in federal court for actual and statutory damages, plus attorney’s fees.  Micah Adkins represents victims of identity theft in federal court all over the country.  Our firm includes lawyers licensed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.  We can meet with you in person for a free case review.

Here are some of the identity theft stories we are following:  

ALABAMA

Montgomery, Alabama

Federal grand jury in Montgomery indicts man in identity theft scheme
al.com (blog)
A federal grand jury in Montgomery has returned an indictment charging Harvey James for using stolen identities to file false tax returns. The 34-count indictment charges James with mail fraud and aggravated identity theft …

Montgomery, Alabama

Montgomery man sentenced to 51 months in federal prison on identity theft …
al.com (blog)
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — A Montgomery man was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison today after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft and access device fraud early this year. Kenneth Jerome Blackmon Jr. was involved in a scheme to use …

FLORIDA

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Fla. women get long sentences for ID theft, fraud
San Francisco Chronicle
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Two South Florida women have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for identity theft and tax fraud involving some 2,000 false income tax returns. U.S. District Judge James Cohn in Fort Lauderdale sentenced 36-year-old …

Jacksonville, Florida

Florida identity theft on the rise
ActionNewsJax.com
Divita carries around what he calls his ID theft bible everywhere he goes. It’s an encyclopedia of 11 people who have stolen his identity to get everything from mortgage and loan approvals. After years of investigations, he still hasn’t been able to … 

Jacksonville, Florida

More arrests in scheme involving identity theft from Shands hospitals
Florida Times-Union
Shands Jacksonville hospital announced April 3 that 1,025 patients should take appropriate steps to protect themselves from identity theft due the criminal activity. The hospital said it is paying for one year of identity-monitoring services to all …

South Florida

Ringleader of $11.7M identity theft and tax fraud sentenced to more than 26 years
Sun-Sentinel
The ringleader of a brazen South Florida identity theft ring that sought $11.7 million worth of fraudulent income tax refunds was sentenced Thursday to more than 26 years in federal prison. Federal prosecutors said the scheme was one of the biggest and … 

Tallahassee, Florida

Preventing ID Theft: Shred Your Documents With Police This Weekend
WCTV
Identity theft and financial crimes are an ever-increasing issue facing law enforcement and the public. Identity theft is usually perpetrated to facilitate other crimes, such as credit card fraud or check fraud. The thief is cunning and uses a variety …

GEORGIA

Albany, Georgia

Former bank teller sentenced in ID theft
The Albany Herald
ALBANY, Ga. — Victoria Metz, 26, drew a four-year prison sentence Thursday for 12 counts of embezzlement of government property and four counts of aggravated identity theft, according to according to Michael J. Moore, U.S. attorney for the Middle …

TEXAS

Plainview, Texas

Don’t give your Social Security number to identity thieves
Plainview Daily Herald

That article generated a lot of feedback from readers who had numerous questions on how to protect themselves from getting their identity stolen. Surprisingly, most of the people who I visited with have never heard of identity-theft protection programs.

San Antonio, Texas

Man already accused of identity theft arrested again
KSAT San Antonio
William Stuart, already facing charges related to identity theft, is accused of striking again—only weeks after his release from jail. The 32-year-old North Side resident was arrested Monday on a charge of fraudulent use of identifying information. An … 

Tyler, Texas

Protect your information to avoid identity theft – Tyler Morning Telegraph
Tyler Morning Telegraph
Don’t be fooled by identity thieves; take the proper precautions. Be sure to safeguard your personal information, such as your Social Security number and mother’s maiden name. If an identity thief scores this information, it could result in more than …

NATIONAL NEWS 

Dead Simple: Identity Theft, the Deceased and Tax Returns
Huffington Post
The IRS has reported that it blocked $20 billion in tax refunds from bogus tax claims last year — $6 billion more than the year before. That, readers, is progress. At least the IRS calls it progress. What the figure really means is that more and more …

Identity Theft: It’s Not Just for Grownups!
Huffington Post
Watch for credit offers mailed in your child’s name as this can be an early warning to identity theft. If the offer is from a bank where there is an account in your child’s name, ask to be removed from marketing. If the offer comes from another source … 

How to do a free online background check – USA Today
USA TODAY
If you are performing a background check as a landlord or employer — or for credit, medical or insurance reasons — you can’t use just any service. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have to use a Consumer Reporting Agency. A CRA has to maintain …

Do any of these stories sound familiar to you?  Are you an identity theft victim? Do you have credit report errors? Have you disputed the credit report errors?   Have the credit bureaus “verified” fraudulent information on your credit report and refused to delete the information from your report?  

Contact us 24/7 for a free case review at 1-800-263-9091.

The call is free, and so is the consultation. 

                                            

ID THEFT NEWS: WEEKLY UPDATE

Posted: April 21, 2013 by administrator in FCRA
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
0

12 million consumers a year become victims of identity theft. The harmful effects of identity theft are life changing and last a lifetime.  Victims may not know their identity has been stolen until they receive calls from debt collectors, get denied credit or employment, or find credit report errors.     

What can consumers do to protect their identities and credit report? The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that provides identity theft victims with rights. For example, identity theft victims have the right to request two (2) free credit reports every 12 months and can place a fraud alert (90 day and extended 7 year) on their credit file.  

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) also gives victims of fraud or identity theft the right to dispute credit report errors.  Victims may have errors on the credit reports, such as incorrect accounts, names, public records, addresses, date of birth or inquiries.  The credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) must conduct a reasonable “reinvestigation” of the information disputed by a consumer.  The credit reporting agencies must block fraudulent information in 4 business days if they receive an identity theft report.

Download your free identity theft affidavit HERE.

 If the credit reporting agencies break the law, then consumers have the right to sue them in federal court for actual and statutory damages, plus attorneys’ fees.  Micah Adkins represents victims of identity theft in federal court all over the country.  Here are some of the identity theftstories we are am following:  

ALABAMA

Mobile, Alabama

Tips on Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
WALA-TV FOX10
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, social security number or credit card number without your permission. Avoid becoming a victim of ID theft by remembering the three D’s – Deter, Detect and Defend.

FLORIDA

New laws urged to cut ‘epidemic’ of ID theft
Sun-Sentinel
The STOP Identity Theft Act would increase imprisonment for convicted ID thieves from five to up to 20 years. It would also concentrate law enforcement efforts where the crime most frequently occurs, such as Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

ID Theft Bill Passes House, Awaits Senators
WCTV
Possessing other people’s IDs and credit card information in Florida isn’t necessarily a crime. Police have to prove the person with the info plans to commit fraud. In less than three minutes, the Florida House passed a bill to protect people from …

South Florida Reps File Bills To Crackdown On Identity Theft
CBS Local
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It’s no secret that South Florida is a hot bed for identity theft, but many people don’t realize that the state also leads the nation when it comes to federal tax return identity theft. So on Tax Day, April 15th, several …

GEORGIA

Columbus, GA

Identity theft victim arrested for crime she didn’t commit
WTVM
Since this ordeal Carter says that friend has been arrested by police and the identity theft victim is still working to clear her arrest record. Columbus Police Sergeant Karen Gaskins told News Leader 9 that identity theft can be a major hassle for …

MISSISSIPPI

Gulfport, MS

Seven tips for avoiding ID theft during tax season
SunHerald.com
If you think you may be at risk for identity theft because of a stolen wallet or questionable credit activity, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized unit at 800-908-4490. A taxpayer guide to ID theft is on the IRS website, IRS.gov….. 

NORTH CAROLINA

Shred to stop ID theft
WCNC
Guard against ID theft by freezing your credit reports online for free. Seniors and victims of identity theft can also freeze their credit by telephone or mail for free. Placing security freezes on your credit prevents identity thieves from opening new …

OKLAHOMA

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Monday: Take steps to avoid identity theft
Tulsa World
The Tulsa Police Department’s financial crimes unit, a seven-person team, is actively working about a dozen identity theft cases and investigating between five and 10 large mail theft rings that have targeted 25 or more victims, Maurer said in an …

TENNESSEE

Chattanooga, TN

Consumer Watch: Protecting deceased from identity theft
Chattanooga Times Free Press
I’ve just heard a horror story from a colleague about his deceased brother’s identity being stolen. My mother is at death’s door, and I want to do whatever necessary to protect her in life and in death. Any suggestions? — Samuel Son. Dear Mr. Son …

TEXAS

Amarillo, TX

Calif. man indicted on false ID charges
Amarillo.com
Auston Chad Cohen, 29, of Lancaster, Calif., was charged with fraudulent use of an access device to obtain more than $1,000, false representation of a Social Security card, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of identity theft …

Houston, TX

BBB on Homes: Help protect identity for free at community shred event April 27
Houston Chronicle
The Federal Trade Commission estimates up to 9 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year. To help address these concerns, the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston, Tristar Document Shredding and Copy Doctor are sponsoring a …

NATIONAL NEWS

Hotels too often leave people vulnerable to identity theft
HeraldNet
Identity theft expert John Sileo said that there’s another reason hotel guests are vulnerable to having their personal information stolen: They’re easily distracted. “We just don’t pay attention to the details when we’re running through airports and …

Tax ID-Theft
Wall Street Journal (blog)
More than one-quarter of taxpayers wait to file until the week before April 15, and taxpayer identity theft often surfaces when Internal Revenue Service computers reject a real return because someone else has filed using a false ID. The Wall Street …

Are you an identity theft victim? Do you have credit report errors? Have the credit bureaus “verified” fraudulent information and refused to delete the items from your credit reports?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers have the right to dispute credit report errors. The credit reporting agencies must block information from appearing in your credit report that is the result of identity theft. The credit bureaus must block the information within 4 business days of receipt of an identity theft report. Federal law gives you the right to sue the credit bureaus if they fail to perform a reasonable investigation or refuse to investigate your credit report disputes. 

Contact us for a free case review 24/7 at 1-800-263-9091 and ask for a free sample credit report dispute letter.

                                    

ID THEFT NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATE

Posted: April 14, 2013 by administrator in FCRA
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Identity Theft & the Fair Credit Reporting Act

12 million consumers a year become victims of identity theft.  The harmful effects of identity theft are life changing and last a lifetime.  Victims may not know their identity has been stolen until they receive calls from debt collectors, get denied credit or employment, or find credit report errors.    

What can consumers do to protect their identities and credit report? The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that provides identity theft victims with rights. For example, identity theft victims have the right to request two (2) free credit reports every 12 months and can place a fraud alert (90 day and extended 7 year) on their credit file.  

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) also gives victims of fraud or identity theft the right to dispute credit report errors.  Victims may have errors on the credit reports, such as incorrect accounts, names, public records, addresses, date of birth or inquiries.  The credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) must conduct a reasonable “reinvestigation” of the information disputed by a consumer.  The credit reporting agencies must block fraudulent information in 4 business days if they receive an identity theft report.

Download your free identity theft affidavit HERE. 

If the credit reporting agencies break the law, then consumers have the right to sue them in federal court for actual and statutory damages, plus attorneys’ fees.  Micah Adkins represents victims of identity theft in federal court all over the country.  Here are some of the identity theftstories we are am following:  

ALABAMA

BIRMINGHAM – Birmingham Social Security Administration worker sentenced for identity theft
Alabama’s13.com

BIRMINGHAM, AL -. A former Social Security Administration employee was sentenced in federal court for an identity theft scheme. Manuel “Trey” Chaney III was sentenced to 70 months in prison, according to US Attorney Joyce White Vance. Chaney, a former

Indian-American gets 2 years jail term
Hindu Business Line
An Indian-American along with two others from Alabama has been sentenced for his role in an identity theft and tax fraud scheme, the US Justice Department has said. While Indian-American Narendra Kumar Patel was sentenced to 24 months in prison, the …

FLORIDA

JACKSONVILLE – Identity Theft
WJXT Jacksonville

Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes today. If you’ve ever had your personal information stolen, you know crooks can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new phantom accounts, even get medical …

MIAMI – From fraud-ridden Florida, Sen. Bill Nelson targets tax ID theft
MiamiHerald.com (blog)

“I am pleased to join Senator Nelson as a cosponsor of the Identify Theft and Tax Fraud Prevention Act. I have long believed that easy access to Social Security numbers is a significant source of identity theft, notably fraud related to tax refunds …

MISSISSIPPI

JACKSON – Woman pleads guilty to identity theft
San Francisco Chronicle

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Byram woman has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft in connection with obtaining a bank loan in someone else’s name, then spending the proceeds. In a joint news release, U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special …

NORTH CAROLINA

CHARLOTTE – Man sentenced in $50000 identity theft scheme
WBTV
Walker pleaded guilty in September 2011 to one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He has been in local federal custody since May 2011 and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation …

OKLAHOMA

TULSA – Woman gets prison time for mail theft, identity theft
Tulsa World

A Tulsa woman was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of aggravated identity theft and possession of stolen mail. Jennifer Kathryn Steffen, 29, admitted in a plea agreement filed Jan. 8 that she opened mailboxes …

Sheriff’s Office busts identity theft ring
Tulsa World

A traffic stop Friday evening led Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office investigators to an alleged identity theft ring with potentially hundreds of victims across the country. Four people were arrested, including the accused ring leader, Tammy Marie Petitt …

NATIONAL NEWS

It’s Tax ID-Theft Season
Wall Street Journal

What is worse than filing your tax return? Finding out someone already did—using your name and Social Security number to grab an illegal refund. For many victims, this terrible surprise is happening now. More than one-quarter of taxpayers wait to file …

SEC to Require Firms to Create Identity Theft Programs
Credit Union Times

The program should include policies and procedures designed to identify relevant types of identity theft red flags, detect the occurrence of those red flags, respond appropriately to them and provide periodic program updates, the SEC said Wednesday. 

Are you an identity theft victim? Do you have credit report errors? Have the credit bureaus “verified” fraudulent information and refused to delete the items from your credit reports?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers have the right to dispute credit report errors. The credit reporting agencies must block information from appearing in your credit report that is the result of identity theft. The credit bureaus must block the information within 4 business days of receipt of an identity theft report. Federal law gives you the right to sue the credit bureaus if they fail to perform a reasonable investigation or refuse to investigate your credit report disputes.   

Contact us for a free case review 24/7 at 1-800-263-9091

                                            

ID THEFT NEWS: WEEKLY UPDATE

Posted: April 6, 2013 by administrator in FCRA
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

12 million consumers a year become victims of identity theft.  The harmful effects of identity theft are life changing and last a lifetime.  Victims may not know their identity has been stolen until they receive calls from debt collectors, get denied credit or employment, or find credit report errors.    

What can consumers do to protect their identities and credit reputation? The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that provides identity theft victims with rights. For example, identity theft victims have the right to request two (2) free credit reports every 12 months and can place a fraud alert (90 day and extended 7 year) on their credit file.  

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) also gives victims of fraud or identity theft the right to dispute credit report errors.  Victims may have errors on the credit reports, such as incorrect accounts, names, public records, addresses, date of birth or inquiries.  The credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) must conduct a reasonable “reinvestigation” of the information disputed by a consumer.  The credit reporting agencies must block fraudulent information in 4 business days if they receive an identity theft report.

Download your free identity theft affidavit HERE.

 If the credit reporting agencies break the law, then consumers have the right to sue them in federal court for actual and statutory damages, plus attorneys’ fees.  Micah Adkins represents victims of identity theft in federal court all over the country.  Here are some of the identity theftstories we are am following:  

ALABAMA

Birmingham, Alabama -An Etowah County woman was sentenced this week to almost five years in prison for stealing more than $900,000 from her former employer through fraud and identity theft, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr. . . . . FULL STORY

Federal grand jury indicts North Carolina trio on fraud, identity theft … al.com (blog)

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – A federal grand jury today indicted three North Carolina residents on charges of access-device fraud and aggravated identity theft after they were found with more than 350 counterfeit debit and credit cards, according to an …

FLORIDA

BBB® Partners to Combat Identity Theft WKRG-TV

In 2012, Florida was the number one state per capita for identity theft. Shredding unneeded sensitive documents keeps them from being useful for identity theft if they are stolen or taken out of the trash. A Javelin Strategy and Research survey found …

Gainesville, Florida – Nearly 200 have called UF so far about possible identity theft

Gainesville Sun Nearly 200 people have called the University of Florida privacy office and call center worried that they are victims of identity theft after Wednesday’s announcement that a former employee had been arrested for his involvement in an identity theft ring …

Jacksonville, Florida – ID theft bill moving through Fla. legislature

WJXT Jacksonville “This gives law enforcement the tools that they desperately need to stop identity theft in Florida,” said Rep. Larry Ahern, the bill’s sponsor. Ahern filed the legislation after a police chief showed him thousands of IDs discovered on shady characters …

 

Lee County, Florida – Legislation to alleviate pain of identity theft

Wink News We are just days away from the deadline to file your tax returns. But, what happens if someone steals your identity, files it for you and gets away with your tax refund? ID theft and tax refund fraud happens more in Florida than …

OKLAHOMA

ID Theft Blamed for Massive OSU Medical Bill

Fox 28  Kenneth Marshall, 41, has been charged with felony identity theft after police say he’s been receiving medical care under the name of Michael Weatherford at OSU since 2006. They say he filled out medical formed using a Michael Weatherford’s 2006 driver …

Tulsa, Oklahoma – Action Line: ID theft tops list of IRS complaints

Tulsa World – Blank U.S. Treasury checks are seen on an idle press at the Philadelphia Regional Financial Center. The Internal Revenue Service has increased the number of ID theft screening filters to spot fraudulent tax returns before refunds are issued. Associated …

NATIONAL NEWS

IRS Should Help Curb Tax Identity Theft

Wall Street Journal   – If the Internal Revenue Service truly wanted to stop identity theft and the accompanying damage to individuals (“Last-Minute Tax Tips; A steep rise in identity theft is only one of the tax traps you need to avoid this year,” Weekend Investor, March 30 …

Are you an identity theft victim? Do you have credit report errors? Have the credit bureaus “verified” fraudulent information and refused to delete the items from your credit reports?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers have the right to dispute credit report errors. The credit reporting agencies must block information from appearing in your credit report that is the result of identity theft. The credit bureaus must block the information within 4 business days of receipt of an identity theft report. Federal law gives you the right to sue the credit bureaus if they fail to perform a reasonable investigation or refuse to investigate your credit report disputes. 

Contact us 24/7 for a free identity theft case review at 1-800-263-9091

                                            

ID THEFT NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATE

Posted: April 3, 2013 by administrator in FCRA
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Over 12 million consumers a year become victims of identity theft.  Identity theft victims may not know they are a victim until they receive collection calls or see discover credit report errors.  debt collection calls or letters. 

What can you do to protect you identity and credit reputation?  Federal law provides identity theft victims with rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) 15 U.S.C. §§1681, et seq. For example, identity theft victims have the right to order two (2) free credit reports every 12 months and can place a fraud alert (90 day and extended 7 year) on their credit file.  

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives identity theft victims the right to dispute credit report errors due to fraud.  The incorrect information may include accounts, name variations, public records and addresses.  The nationwide consumer reporting agencies (such as Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) must conduct a reasonable “reinvestigation” of the information disputed by the consumer.  The credit agencies must block fraudulent information within 4 business days if they receive an identity theft report from you.

Download your free identity theft affidavit HERE. 

If the credit reporting agencies break the law, then consumers have the right to sue them in federal court for actual and statutory damages, plus attorneys’ fees.  Micah Adkins represents victims of identity theft across the country.  Here are some of the identity theft stories I am following across the country.

ALABAMA

Birmingham Alabama – Alabama grand jury indicts 3 NC residents in ID theft Chattanooga Times Free Press BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Three North Carolina residents are charged in what federal prosecutors call an identity theft ring operating in Alabama. Authorities say 38-year-old Terrance Lavon Campbell; 40-year-old Renee Charlene Pointer and 44-year-old …

Montgomery Alabama – Three River Region residents sentenced in identity theft, tax fraud scheme al.com (blog) MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Three area residents were sentenced for their roles in an identity theft and tax fraud scheme in federal court, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama released. Mary Bennett, of Wetumpka, Narendrakumar …

FLORIDA

Pensacola, Florida – Florida Identity Theft WEAR “People are filing their income tax returns and they have been rejected because they said we’ve already paid you and it’s a major scam on people and your identity needs to be protected and we need to do what’s necessary to make sure that this does not …

NORTH CAROLINA

Jacksonville, North Carolina – Identity Theft – Alex J. Stevenson Jacksonville Daily News Alex J. Stevenson, 26, of Cherrywood Court , was charged March 23 by Jacksonville Police Department with identity theft, unlawful obtaining of credit cards, larceny, possession of stolen goods and six counts of obtaining property under false pretense.

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Police searching for identity theft/auto theft suspect kfor.com OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Police Auto Theft Investigators are asking for your help identifying a man suspected of stealing people’s identity to sell stolen cars. Edward Stupka is the latest victim in this elaborate plot. Stupka went in to update …

Tulsa Oklahoma – Identity theft can happen with help from accomplices within your own bank kjrh.com Identity theft can happen to anyone, and sometimes it comes from where you least expect it. “They were hitting my home equity line,” said fraud victim Paul Agne. “They got $10,000 out one time, $12,000 the other time.” Agne is talking about the thieves …

SOUTH CAROLINA

Deadline approaching for free credit monitoring, identity-theft protection Travelers Rest Tribune COLUMBIA, S.C. – Residents of South Carolina have until Sunday, March 31, 2013, to sign up for one free year of credit monitoring and identity-theft protection. The service, ProtectMyID from Experian, is available to any resident who has filed a South …

TENNESSEE

Chattanooga, Tennessee – West Tennessee Town Falls Victim To Identity Theft The Chattanoogan Identity theft is a problem for many individuals, but even cities can fall victim. The West Tennessee town of Henning learned that when someone tried to use two counterfeit checks issued in the town’s name last year. The banks refused to honor those …

NATIONAL NEWS

FTC: Identity Theft Top Complaint Once More Blogger News Network (blog) Last year, 2012, marks the first year in which the FTC received more than two million complaints overall, and 369,132, or 18 percent, were related to identity theft—an increase of 30% over 2011. Of those, more than 43 percent related to tax- or wage …

Supreme Court’s John Roberts Has Credit Card Number Stolen DailyFinance Roberts isn’t the first high-profile Washington figure to become the victim of identity theft lately — earlier this month, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and the director of the FBI all had their credit reports stolen and posted …

New law aims at child ID theft ABC Action News Statistics Report. Published on Mar 28, 2013. State officials say one in every 10 children falls victim to identity theft, and local law enforcement fears that number will rise. A measure making its way thru Tallahassee could help parents protect their …

Are you an identity theft victim? Do you have credit report errors? Have the credit bureaus “verified” fraudulent information and refused to delete the items from your credit reports?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers have the right to dispute credit report errors. The credit reporting agencies must block information from appearing in your credit report that is the result of identity theft. The credit bureaus must block the information within 4 business days of receipt of an identity theft report. Federal law gives you the right to sue the credit bureaus if they fail to perform a reasonable investigation or refuse to investigate your credit report disputes. 

 

Contact us for a free case review 24/7 at 1-800-263-9091 for a free case review.

                                            

ID THEFT NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATE

Posted: March 23, 2013 by administrator in FCRA
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Over 12 million consumers a year become victims of identity theft.  Identity theft victims may not know their identity has been stolen until they receive calls from debt collectors or see accounts on their credit report that do not belong to them. 

What can consumers do to protect their identities and credit reputation?  Federal law provides identity theft victims with rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) 15 U.S.C. §§1681, et seq. Under the FCRA, identity theft victims have the right to request two (2) free credit reports every 12 months and can place a fraud alert (90 day and extended 7 year) on their credit file.  

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives identity theft victims the right to dispute credit report errors due to fraud.  The incorrect information may include accounts, name variations, public records and addresses.  The credit reporting agencies (such as Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) must conduct a reasonable “reinvestigation” of the information disputed by the consumer.  The credit reporting agencies must block fraudulent information in 4 business days if they receive an identity theft report. Download your free identity theft affidavit HERE.

If the credit reporting agencies break the law, then consumers have the right to sue them in federal court for actual and statutory damages, plus attorneys’ fees.  Micah Adkins represents victims of identity theft across the country.  Here are some of the identity theft stories I am following across the country.

ALABAMA

Mobile Alabama – FUGITIVE FILES Identity Theft WALA-TV FOX10

Mobile Police Corporal Christopher Levy says, “What’s significant about her is that we’ve actually signed warrants for her for identity theft. But she is continuing to use her victim’s name even when she comes in contact with police. She has been …

FLORIDA

South Florida – Incidents of tax-related ID theft appear to be dropping Sun-Sentinel

Tax preparers attribute the slowdown to the IRS cracking down on offenders, making it harder for them to file returns with someone else’s identity. In just a year, the IRS tripled the number of tax-related identity theft investigations and doubled the …

Tallahassee Florida – TCC students among victims in $3.3-million ID-theft case Tallahassee.com

 On Tuesday, jurors in Escarmant’s federal trial found him guilty of charges including submitting false claims to the IRS and aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 17 before U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard. Escarmant is …

Tampa Florida – IRS gets help fighting identity theft tax fraud Tbo.com

The additional manpower is part of a comprehensive effort to combat the identity theft tax refund fraud that has exploded in the area the last few years, allowing criminals to steal hundreds of millions of federal taxpayer dollars locally and billions …

GEORGIA

Athens Georgia – Arrest made in identity theft, forgery in Gainesville Online Athens

 They charged him with identity theft and first degree forgery. He was booked into the Hall County Jail under an immigration hold. WGCL-TV reported that Longoria-Cardoza had a Georgia driver’s license which had his picture, but …

Atlanta Georgia – Help Desk: Protect Yourself From Identity Theft WXIA-TV

Identity theft occurs when a thief uses a legitimate taxpayer’s personal information such as your name, Social Security Number (SSN) and address without your permission and files a tax return to get the refund. The IRS says fraudulent returns are filed …

Macon Georgia – Bibb deputies seek suspects in identity theft Macon Telegraph (blog)

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office needs help identifying suspects who stole a woman’s wallet at Cracker Barrel on Riverside Drive and later used her credit card at Target on Presidential Parkway. The suspects were caught on video. A black man in his 70s …

Atlanta Georgia – Federal officials are investigating a security breach that allowed access to the personal information of at least 12,000 Savannah River Site workers, reports The Augusta Chronicle.

The SRS is in South Carolina about 25 miles southeast of Augusta.  The U.S. Department of Energy said in a statement that initial indications are that the disclosure was not the result of a cyber-intrusion and that no classified data was compromised. Workers are being told “to be vigilant in monitoring financial transactions and emails or phone calls relating to such personal transactions.”

Atlanta Georgia – Ways to prevent tax related ID theft Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)

 “If criminals intercept just one W2 or 1040 form — or if they dupe someone into providing that information — they gain a wealth of information that can be used for identity theft,” says Ken Chaplin, senior vice president of marketing for Experian’s …

LOUISIANA

Shreveport Louisiana – Authorities searching for man accused of identity theft and fraud KTBS

 Since Guidry’s release, Caddo Sheriff’s Detective Bobby Herring obtained a new warrant for his arrest on identity theft and bank fraud charges. Bond on the new charges was set at $125,000. Guidry is accused of using a man’s ID to obtain fraudulent …

NORTH CAROLINA

Steps taken with records to prevent ID theft Wilkes Journal Patriot

The N.C. Identity Theft Protection Act, enacted in 2005, says that if a person requests in writing, the person’s Social Security and certain other personal identification numbers must be removed from register of deeds, N.C. secretary of state or court …

TEXAS

El Paso – Identity Theft – It’s no Joke San Saba News & Star

When the first of April comes, you may be on guard to protect yourself from an April Fool’s Day prank. But every day of the year, you should be wary of identity thieves. Identity theft is no joking matter. Identity thieves victimize millions of people …

Houston Texas – LSC-Kingwood to host identity theft presentations Your Houston News

Lone Star College-Kingwood will host a three-part series on a growing problem: identity theft. The Business Department and the Students In Free Enterprise Club invite the community, faculty, staff and students to “Protecting Yourself from Identity …

NATIONAL NEWS

One in five people have errors on their credit report ABC Action News

The Federal Trade Commission found that 80 percent of those who dispute the errors get results. Every consumer should pull a copy of their credit report annually. It’s free at annualcreditreport.com.  Then you will want to send the investigative report …

Consumer Reports Got It Dangerously Wrong on Identity Theft Huffington Post

We commissioned a national poll last month which found that nearly 40 percent of Americans believe “identity theft is not a serious problem.” In fact, they said they thought that it’s “a marketing tool or scare tactic for companies selling credit …

Top ID Theft Risks for 2013 BankInfoSecurity.com

 A growing number of medical and government identity theft cases, as well as upticks in compromised mobile devices, should be getting industry attention, says Eva Velasquez, head of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a California-based not-for-profit …

Are you an identity theft victim? Do you have credit report errors? Have the credit bureaus “verified” fraudulent information and refused to delete the items from your credit reports? Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers have the right to dispute credit report errors. The credit reporting agencies must block information from appearing in your credit report that is the result of identity theft. The credit bureaus must block the information within 4 business days of receipt of an identity theft report. Federal law gives you the right to sue the credit bureaus if they fail to perform a reasonable investigation or refuse to investigate your credit report disputes. 

Contact us for a free case review 24/7 at 1-800-263-9091 and ask for a free sample credit report dispute letter.

MICAH ADKINS NAMED TOP CONSUMER LAWYER AGAIN

Posted: March 21, 2013 by administrator in FCRA
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Micah Adkins has been named as one of the top consumer lawyers for the second year in a row.

Birmingham Magazine surveyed more than 4,000 members of the Birmingham Bar Association for nominations for Birmingham’s top lawyers.  This is the fourth year for the peer review study and included 34 practice areas.  More than 1,700 attorneys voted in the survey.  The votes were reviewed by the Birmingham Bar Association and the Birmingham News Multimedia.

The results are in and attorney Micah Adkins was named as one of the top consumer lawyers in Birmingham. “I am honored to be included in such an elite group.  This is a true honor for me.  There is no higher accolade than peer recognition,” said attorney Adkins.  Mr. Adkins’ practice focuses on consumer law, including credit report errors and identity theft.  His practice is 100% litigation in federal court under consumer protection statutes such as the Fair Credit Report Act (FCRA).  The FCRA promotes the accuracy of consumer credit reports and protects victims of identity theft.

“My practice continues to grow across the South.  Since joining Burke, Harvey & Frankowski almost two years ago, I have been able to represent consumers in Alabama and Florida, Georgia and Texas,” added Adkins.  The law firm of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski includes lawyers licensed in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.  For more information about Mr. Adkins’ consumer practice, contact him at 205-747-1907, or by using the contact form below.

ID THEFT NEWS: WEEKLY UPDATE

Posted: March 17, 2013 by administrator in FCRA
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Over 12 million consumers a year become victims of identity theft. Click HERE to download the FTC’s 2012 report on top consumer complaints.  Consumers often learn they are a fraud victim after receiving a credit denial or call from a debt collector for a debt they do not owe.  Identity theft victims also get turned down for jobs because of arrests, convictions or other public records in a background report.  If they get approved for credit, then they have to pay higher interest rates. 

What can consumers do to protect their credit reports and their reputation?  Federal law provides identity theft victims with rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) 15 U.S.C. §§1681, et seq. Under the FCRA, identity theft victims have the right to request two (2) free credit reports every 12 months. Also, identity theft victims can place a fraud alert (90 day and extended 7 year) on their credit file.  

Identity theft victims have the right to dispute credit report errors due to fraud, such as accounts, name variations, public records and addresses.  The credit reporting agencies must conduct a reasonable “reinvestigation” of the information disputed by the consumer.  The credit reporting agencies must block in 4 business days fraudulent information that appears in a credit report after they receive an identity theft report.  If the credit reporting agencies break these rules, then consumers have the right to sue them in federal court for actual and statutory damages, plus attorneys’ fees.

Download the free identity theft affidavit HERE.

Micah Adkins represents victims of identity theft across the country.  Here are some of the identity theft stories I am following in and across the nation.

ALABAMA

Birmingham, Alabama – Drug bust also reveals ID theft operation WBRC

Jefferson County deputies raided two homes and walked away with lots of cash, guns and drugs. They not only found heroin, coke and marijuana, but they also uncovered an identity theft operation. Two people were arrested in this case.

Tuscaloosa, – Not all online identity theft is illegal in Alabama WBRC Tuscaloosa Sheriff Ted Sexton is just the latest, well-known victim of a fake Facebook account, but the incident highlights a sobering lesson: anyone can be a victim. In Alabama, some forms of theft aren’t even illegal. In many cases, people copy and …

ARKANSAS

Little Rock, Arkansas – Money Matters: Advice for Identity Theft Victims KARK Because others have also fallen victim to this identity theft scheme, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued this consumer alert today to let Arkansans know the steps they need to take in the event they have their identity stolen. “Technological …

FLORIDA

Miami – Five suspects in ID-theft ring jailed in Broward Sun-Sentinel A ring of five identity thieves who stole and negotiated the sale of more than 6,000 victims’ personal information is now behind bars, authorities said Wednesday. With the help of a confidential informant, the Broward Sheriff’s Office in December began …

Miami – Hospital Identity Theft Found at Some South Florida Hospitals NBC 6 South Florida The south Miami case is the latest hospital ID theft to surface in South Florida. Since 2009, the Department of Health and Human Services has received reports that hundreds of thousands of patients have been affected by breaches at hospitals across …

Miami – Broward man sentenced in $1.5 million identity theft case Sun-Sentinel David Forbes, 43, had earlier pleaded guilty to five counts of theft of government money. He admitted working with a woman who stole identities and submitted tax returns — without the victims’ or survivors’ knowledge — on behalf of five people. The …

GEORGIA

Atlanta – Ch. 2′s Mark Arum among ID-theft operation victims WSB Atlanta Police say they have uncovered a stash of Social Security numbers and personal documents that could be at the core of a huge identity-theft operation. Authorities said the man used the data to steal the identity of Channel 2 traffic reporter Mark Arum …

Atlanta – Vigilance keeps you on top of identity theft Atlanta Journal Constitution Since August 2009, I’ve kept a diary that’s not a pleasant read. It brings back memories of a personal nature that is about me, certainly, contains secret PIN numbers, and the history of what happens after someone steals your identity. When your Social …

SOUTH CAROLINA

Greenville, South Carolina – ID theft bill would allow tax deduction for protection services Greenville News 10 years of free credit monitoring in bill: Sen. Kevin Bryant of Anderson, one of the sponsors of an identity theft protection bill before Senators, says the bill would seek a contract to provide 10 years of free credit monitoring for victims of last …

Hilton head, SC – Bluffton chamber helps businesses avoid identity theft Hilton Head Island Packet Stidman, a former law enforcement officer who now works for Coastal Security Services on Hilton Head Island, offered tips Monday on how a business can protect itself from identity theft, during a program hosted by the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.

TEXAS

Tyler – Texas ranked seventh in identity theft cases Tyler Morning Telegraph “To avoid falling victim to identity theft, prevention is key,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, president and chief executive officer of BBB Serving Central East Texas, in a prepared statement. “While there’s no absolute guarantee, shredding sensitive …

NATIONAL NEWS

Identity theft and the IRS, or, Who got my refund? Reuters The agency has stepped up its prosecutions. In the first four months of fiscal 2013 (October 1, 2012, through January 31, 2013), the IRS opened 542 investigations of possible cases of tax-related identity theft, as compared to 898 for all of fiscal …

Mass. Man Arraigned In Alleged Identity Theft Scam WBUR BOSTON — A Boston man has pleaded not guilty in what prosecutors say was an extensive scheme to use fake credit cards and identities to buy smartphones and high-end electronics for resale. Thirty-six-year-old Shahab “David” Yousheei was arraigned …

Consumers ‘prime targets’ for ID theft StandardNet For the fifth consecutive year, identity theft is at the top of the Federal Trade Commission’s list of consumer complaints. With more than 2 million complaints lodged nationwide in 2012, including 369,132 related to identity theft, national and local …

Have you been a victim of identity theft? Do you have credit report errors? Have you disputed the credit report errors?  Did the credit bureaus “verify” fraudulent information on your credit report and refuse to delete the incorrect information from your credit reports?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers have the right to dispute credit report errors. The credit reporting agencies must block information from appearing in your credit report that is the result of identity theft. The credit bureaus must block the information within 4 business days of receipt of an identity theft report. Federal law gives you the right to sue the credit bureaus if they fail to perform a reasonable investigation or refuse to investigate your credit report disputes. 

Contact us for a free case review 24/7 at 1-800-263-9091 and ask for a free sample credit report dispute letter.

Older Entries