Identity Theft in Juneau, AK

Do you feel like fraud has infiltrated too many aspects of your life in Juneau?

According to The Center Square, 122 per 100,000 people in Alaska experienced identity theft in 2021. The problem is not going away, and the latest tactics can make financial recovery difficult. Consequently, many consumers need an attorney to get their life back to normal. You can start this crucial process today by reading this article and requesting a consultation.

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is one of the most common crimes in the modern world. Criminals constantly find new ways to steal your information. These crimes involve the fraudulent use of components of your identity, such as SSNs, driver’s licenses, or credit cards.

Thieves may have already used your identity to open new financial accounts without your knowledge. Other criminal actions can include fake tax returns, fraudulent purchases, and receiving medical care under your insurance. 

While dealing with customer service departments for a solution, an experienced Juneau, AK attorney can fast-track the process. In some circumstances, taking this step is necessary to get attention and recover your losses.

Reporting by ConsumerAffairs says there were 896 reports of identity theft in 2021. Unfortunately, some local residents made headlines for participating in this activity. In June 2022, two local men received indictments for a scam that netted them over $500,000 from local banks.

How Does Identity Theft Happen in Juneau, Alaska?

Identity theft can happen in many ways. Hackers are constantly advancing their data-stealing techniques. However, there are some long-standing causes of identity theft that every consumer should be aware of:

• Data Breaches – Companies often store personal financial information for subscriptions, auto-pay, or express checkout. Hackers can break into their servers to extract the personal information of thousands of people at a time.
• ATM or Card Skimmers – Hackers can place skimmers that read card information when you use it. The most common places for skimmers are ATM devices or gas pumps. Some have even found their way into convenience stores and pharmacies.
• Digital Malware and Viruses – Hackers can access your information through phishing, fake websites, and file-sharing networks. Be vigilant when receiving emails from sketchy accounts or browsing online. Often, hackers will disguise their phishing attempts as recognizable brands or platforms.
• Physical Theft – Thieves can access your personal information by stealing your mail, purse, or wallet. It’s critical to keep your personal belongings secure and shred confidential information before throwing it out.
• Change Of Address – Another creative way hackers can steal your information is by changing your address with different services you use. Once the mail reroutes to the new address, they can access the information you should have received.
• Public WiFi – While public WiFi networks are convenient, they rarely encrypt the connection. Most competent hackers can break into public networks and remotely access devices connected to them. Only use public WiFi networks if absolutely necessary, and always with a VPN.

What Are Some Juneau, Identity Theft Laws

Consumers in Juneau have protections to utilize under the Alaska Personal Information Protection Act. For example, Article 2 authorizes putting a security freeze on your credit report. Once this action is in place, lenders and financial institutions cannot access your history to process a loan application.

This legislation also defines what qualifies as an illegal activity that the state government can prosecute. For instance, even if you know about identity theft attempts, you must report them. Failing to do so can make you an accessory to the crime.

How Can I Detect Identity Theft?

Sometimes it can be hard to know if your identity has become compromised. However, if you are vigilant with your passwords and online presence, you can become aware of several signs of identity theft. Be on the lookout for the following:

• Any questionable activity you don’t recognize on your accounts
• Deposits, purchases, credit alerts, etc.
• No longer receiving mail at your primary address
• Calls or letters from collectors about debts you never incurred
• Bills for services you never received, such as medical care
• Letter from the IRS regarding duplicate tax returns in your name
• News from a data breach at a company you have done business with previously
• A sudden and unexplained change in your credit score

How Do I Recover From Identity Fraud in Juneau, Alaska?

The first thing you can do is immediately contact your financial institutions and suspend any compromised cards. Some companies will also allow you to block any further usage directly from their app.

The next step is to contact the institutions where you have discrepancies. If you see suspicious transactions, reach out to the places or services where they occurred. Additionally, you should close any accounts or cancel any subscriptions that may have become compromised.

You will also want to complete a police report to get the justice system working on your side. The Juneau Police Department accepts these notifications through its website. If this service is not available, you can call 907-586-0600 to complete this task on the phone.

You should also consider a credit monitoring account if you do not have one. These services offer oversight of your credit accounts and alert you of suspicious activity. You can either temporarily freeze the account or close it out entirely. A qualified Juneau attorney can also help you right some of the wrongs these actions cannot fix.

Identity Theft Protections

Take proactive steps to protect yourself from identity theft. Some of these steps may seem like common sense. However, it’s surprising how often people disclose personal information without a second thought. We recommend you take the following precautions to avoid someone stealing your identity:

• Do not respond to any unsolicited requests asking for personal information.
• Do not click any suspicious links in unsolicited emails.
• Enable all security and two-step verification protocols on your electronic devices.
• Use complex passwords and change them frequently.
• Install any firewall and malware detection software on your electronic devices.
• Properly shred or tear up any documents with personal or financial information before discarding them in the trash.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer in Juneau, Alaska

Are you facing financial or legal complications related to an identity theft issue in Alaska? If that’s the case, we can help connect you with the right attorney to help you resolve these problems before they spiral out of control. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Alaska state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!