Has my Identity been stolen? My Credit Report has problems. | PLLC Fort Worth, TX
If you’ve found incorrect information on your most recent credit report from Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax, you may be wondering, has someone stolen my identity?
Consumers across DFW, especially Fort Worth, Haltom City, Lake Worth, and Burleson have found themselves asking similar questions, and I’m here to answer them for you.
My name is James Foley, PLLC, and I’m Fort Worth’s favorite when it comes to defending consumers against identity theft. (That’s right, your issue may not actually be identity theft!) We’re going to get to the bottom of the issue no matter what the cause may be.
Your credit report will provide the best information if you haven’t yet examined it. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com, and look for anything that may be out of place, or that you don’t recognize. This is your first indicator of what may be wrong.
What to do if my Identity is stolen. | How to tell if your identity is stolen or not. | FW TX
We’ll start by talking about what identity theft looks like:
You may have received a lawsuit for a debt that you never opened in the first place.
You may find credit cards in your name that have been spent to their limits and left totally delinquent.
You may even find that you’re being warned about having a vehicle repossessed, a vehicle that you never bought in the first place!
Whatever the case may be, think about what a criminal would do with your financial information: smash, grab, and run. If it looks like an account has been opened in your name and then immediately abused, this is a sign of theft.
So act fast, especially if the account hasn’t been totally overrun yet. There are a number of important reasons to act quickly and strategically, chief among them: time is money. It’s much easier to correct an issue or catch a thief before too much time goes by.
1. File an identity theft report with your local police.
2. File an FTC affidavit, or call me and I can assist you in doing so (at 817-738-1633).
3. Freeze your credit so that future accounts will require increased verification.
4. Contact me and we’ll begin work on making sure your account receives the corrective attention it deserves. This may involve contacting your credit reporting agency, which I’ve done many times before to great success.
Reasons for Credit Issues that aren’t Identity Theft/Stolen ID | Ft. Worth Attorney
If the activity on your account is incorrect or outdated, but doesn’t seem to be performed by a bad actor, maybe your identity is safe. Have you noticed any of the following?
You may find an account that you never opened that has received fairly normal payment.
You could see incorrect amounts included in an account you do recognize, or reports of unreceived payments.
You may notice accounts that you had before a loan forgiveness or a bankruptcy that have reappeared in your record.
It’s good news when you see something more similar to the above, because it means that less money may be missing, your credit score may not have been damaged to a large degree, and that you may not have to consult the authorities. So you can rest easy, Fort Worth, because your account may not have been stolen.
When I see accounts like these come through my downtown office, the errors can be due to many reasons, especially things like merged accounts, re-aged loans, or incorrect public information.
But it still may be hard to get the credit reporting agency to make the necessary changes, especially if you can’t provide them with evidence to the contrary. So give me a call and I’ll work at your side to make sure the CRA’s give you the time of day.
Moreover, if you have been sued for a debt that’s not yours, you’ll still need to properly defend yourself and make the court aware of such matters, which again is where I’ll produce the necessary results to your benefit, in Fort Worth, Benbrook, White Settlement, Dunbar, and wherever else you may be located.
Fort Worth Credit Defense, Equifax/Experian/TransUnion Accuracy Legal Help
No matter what, keep in mind that the statute of limitations for some of the things we’re discussing here can be as low as two years, so there is reason to act on this today!
Ft. Worth, Bedford, and Richland Hills, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and give me a call at 817-738-1633. We’ll work together to find a solution for you.
I’ll initiate a credit accuracy dispute in your name for the price of postage, and will do so on a legal letterhead that will get the agency’s attention. So stop letting them delay and get ready to finally have your issues resolved.