Identity Theft in Lafayette, LA

The repercussions of identity theft can range from embarrassment to serious legal and financial injury. Assess your risk, safeguard your identity, and hire an attorney in Lafayette, Louisiana if your identity gets stolen.

According to Federal Trade Commission data, Louisiana had the fourth highest rate of identity theft in the U.S. for 2021. Residents filed more than 34,000 complaints, averaging 732 cases per 100,000 people. Furthermore, Lafayette has one of the highest identity theft rates of any metro area in the country, with 1,212 reports per 100,000 residents. Credit card fraud is the most common type of identity theft in the area. However, loan and lease frauds are also prevalent.

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is one of the most common crimes in the modern world, and criminals are constantly finding 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 Lafayette, LA attorney can fast-track the process. In some circumstances, taking this step is necessary to get the attention of companies and recover your losses.

How Does Identity Theft Happen in Lafayette, Louisiana?

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 BreachesCompanies often store personal financial information for subscriptions, auto-pay, or express checkout. Hackers can break into these companies’ servers to extract the personal information of thousands of people at a time.
  • ATM or Card Skimmers – Hackers can place devices called skimmers that read your card’s information when you use it. The most common places for skimmers to are in ATM devices or at 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 questionable accounts or when 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 normally get sent to your real address.
  • 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 Lafayette, Identity Theft Laws

Louisiana statute defines identity theft as the use, possession, transfer, or attempted use of someone else’s personal identifying information with the fraudulent intent to obtain anything of value. Penalties depend on the amount of money involved. In addition, a Lafayette court will impose stiffer penalties if the victim is disabled, over 60, or under 17. Sentences can range from 6 months to 10 years, and may include hard labor. In addition, some identity thefts are federal crimes. For example, the Department of Justice recently indicted two local college students on identity theft charges. They were using other students’ IDs to fraudulently apply for CARES Act financial aid grants.

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 that point to identity theft. Be on the lookout for the following:

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

How Do I Recover From Identity Fraud in Lafayette, Louisiana?

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.

The Louisiana State Bar Association publishes a pamphlet with information for avoiding identity theft as well as advice for victims. In addition, the Louisiana Department of Revenue is an excellent resource if your case involves tax fraud. Regardless of the type of identity theft, you will need to involve local law enforcement. Fortunately, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office can take your report and provide local assistance. You will also need to contact one of the credit bureaus to place a fraud alert in your credit file.

You should also consider a credit monitoring account if you don’t already have one. These services provide oversight on your credit accounts and alert you when there is suspicious activity. You can either temporarily freeze the account or close it out entirely. A qualified Lafayette attorney can also help you right some of the wrongs you may encounter along the way.

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 Lafayette, Louisiana

Are you facing financial or legal complications related to an identity theft issue in Lafayette, LA? 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 Louisiana 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!

How It All Works

Call us or answer the questions on this site. Your category, location, and additional information will help us connect you to a legal professional and we’ll send you the results instantly.

Which Areas of Law?

We have attorneys in over 20 legal categories to choose from.

How Much Does This Cost?

We don’t charge you to be connected. Some legal categories require upfront fees while others do not. The legal professional will determine this with you before you commit to anything.