Identity Theft

NY Restore Your Identity - No Fees Until you Win

Identity theft can be devastating, with consequences that stretch far beyond financial loss. Once identity thieves have access to your personal information they can:

• Go on spending sprees using your credit and debit cards, often purchasing big-ticket items that are easy to sell.
• Open new credit card accounts in your name, then rack up charges and fail to pay the bills—leaving you with a delinquent account on your credit report.
• Change the mailing address on your credit accounts, causing bills to be sent to the imposter. You may not realize the issue until significant charges have been made.
• Take out loans or establish phone and wireless services using your information.
• Counterfeit checks or debit cards and empty your bank account.
• Open new bank accounts in your name, only to write bad checks and leave you with the fallout.
• File for bankruptcy under your name to escape paying their debts or to avoid eviction.
• Provide your name to law enforcement during an arrest—potentially leaving you with a warrant for a court appearance you never knew about.

Call Us Today 646-713-1008

Call us at 646-713-1008 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our New York City office.

What are the consequences of Identity Theft?

Once identity thieves have your personal information, they may:

• Go on spending sprees using your credit and debit card account numbers to buy “big-ticket” items, like computers, that they can easily sell.
• Open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and SSN. – When they don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
• Change the mailing address on your credit card account.- The imposter then runs up charges on the account. Because the bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize there’s a problem.
• Take out auto loans in your name.
• Establish phone or wireless service in your name.
• Counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account.
• Open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
• File for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they’ve incurred, or to avoid eviction.
• Give your name to the police during an arrest. – If they are released and don’t show up for their court date, an arrest warrant could be issued in your name.

What Can I do if My Identity is Stolen?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides powerful remedies to identity theft victims harmed by inaccurate information on a credit report. Identity theft victims can sue the credit bureaus to recover actual damages which include compensation for financial harm and even for emotional suffering resulting from violations under the FCRA.

Under the FCRA, credit reporting agencies must adopt procedures to assure “maximum possible accuracy” of the information in a consumer report and to “exercise their grave responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumer’s right to privacy.”   

Additionally, the FCRA contains a powerful section designed to assist victims of identity theft.  15 USC 1681c-2 requires the credit reporting agencies to “block” any accounts opened by imposters within four days of the consumer sending an identity theft report to the consumer reporting agency.   

If there is inaccurate information on your credit report, an attorney can assist in disputing that information, particularly when it is the result of identity theft. If the errors still remain uncorrected, you may be entitled to sue for a corrected report and compensation.

Consumer Protection Firm Represents People Harmed by Identity Theft

If you’ve fallen victim to identity theft, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) offers powerful protections. This law gives you the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report and hold credit bureaus accountable for violations. Under the FCRA, credit reporting agencies are required to maintain the maximum possible accuracy of information on your report. One of the key provisions in the FCRA, 15 USC 1681c-2, mandates that credit reporting agencies must block accounts opened by identity thieves within four days of receiving an identity theft report from the victim. If your credit report contains errors due to identity theft, an attorney can help you dispute the inaccuracies. If these errors aren’t corrected, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit and seek compensation.

Identity theft can be devastating, with consequences that stretch far beyond financial loss. Once identity thieves have access to your personal information, they can:

• Go on spending sprees using your credit and debit cards, often purchasing big-ticket items that are easy to sell.
• Open new credit card accounts in your name, then rack up charges and fail to pay the bills—leaving you with a delinquent account on your credit report.
• Change the mailing address on your credit accounts, causing bills to be sent to the imposter. You may not realize the issue until significant charges have been made.
• Take out loans or establish phone and wireless services using your information.
• Counterfeit checks or debit cards and empty your bank account.
• Open new bank accounts in your name, only to write bad checks and leave you with the fallout.
• File for bankruptcy under your name to escape paying their debts or to avoid eviction.
• Provide your name to law enforcement during an arrest—potentially leaving you with a warrant for a court appearance you never knew about.

Contact our NY Consumer Protection Firm To Restore Your Identity

At Mallon Consumer Law, we provide experienced and skilled representation to clients throughout New York who are victims of identity theft.  If you suspect identity theft has damaged your credit reports, contact us as soon as possible so we can take immediate action to prevent further damage to your credit. Because the FCRA awards attorney’s fees to consumers who are successful un the act we can represent you on a contingent basis, which means you pay NOTHING upfront for our fees.  Instead, we get paid by the companies that have ruined your good credit.  Mallon Consumer Law will protect your rights by disputing inaccurate information resulting from identity theft and sue the parties responsible for compensation. 

Call us at 646-713-1008 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our New York City office.