Top Identity Theft Questions

Identity theft is a serious crime that should not be taken lightly. Victims of identity theft are often left with many questions regarding reporting identity theft. Read below five of the top identity theft questions that have been asked and answered by Experts.

If a mortgage companies consultant, used someone’s personal information to obtain credit, is this a type of identity theft?

Yes this would be a type of identity theft. There are two things you should do here. first, contact your local law enforcement authorities (police). Identity theft is a serious crime and should be reported. You may be entitled to restitution through the criminal court proceedings, which will cost you nothing. Second, you should confer with a local attorney regarding options including filing a civil lawsuit.

If someone filed a false tax return under someone else’s name, and the IRS is holding the refund because it was paid out on the false return, what is the process of getting this return

If you have previously been in contact with the IRS and have not achieved a resolution, please contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit, toll-free at 1-800-908-4490. You may also contact, The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate (also known as the Taxpayer Advocate Service) is an independent organization within the IRS that assists taxpayers who are experiencing economic harm, who are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, or who believe that an IRS system or procedure is not working as it should.

What can someone do to prevent someone from using their social security number when applying for a job or using the number to have taxes withheld if they have given out their social security number in error?

The first step is to notify all three credit reporting agencies and explain the situation. Regarding your Social Security Number, to prevent the misuse, you should contact Social Security to report the problem at 1-800-772-1213. They will review your earnings with you to ensure your records are correct. You also may review earnings posted to your record on your Social Security Statement (Form SSA-7005). The Statement is mailed automatically each year to workers age 25 and older. You also can get a Statement at any time by requesting one online or by calling their 800 number. However, if you can prove there has been fraudulent use of your social security number, you may be able to obtain a new number if you meet certain criteria.

What is the statue of limitations on credit card identity theft in Kansas?

Unfortunately credit card identify theft can carry civil and criminal charges. If the debt is paid off, then that may inure to the defendant's favor, but that still does not prevent the defendant from facing criminal charges. The statute of limitations in Kansas is generally 2-5 years. It will depend on how the individual is criminally charged.

If someone is a victim of identity theft how would they go about changing their social security number?

First step is to contact the local police and file a report. You should also contact the FTC to report your identity has been stolen. Finally, notifying the Social Security Administration to report that your identity has been compromised, they will help you with the steps to ensure your social security records are correct and walking you through the process of changing you number.

Identity theft can happen quickly to unsuspecting victims leaving many questions unanswered. Finding the right answers can sometimes be expensive. One of the ways to be informed of the law and safeguard your legal interests when faced with identity theft is to ask an Expert for an assessment of your case details and provide legal insights.