Identity Theft in Washington, D.C.

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 Washington, D.C. if your identity gets stolen.

The US Department of Justice reported that a Washington, D.C. man was convicted of theft of public money, and aggravated identity theft. Specifically, he obtained and cashed tax refund checks by filing false federal income tax returns in the names of other individuals. He faces a statutory minimum of two years in prison specifically for aggravated identity theft. This sentence is in addition to the penalties for other crimes. He will also face fines, forfeiture, and restitution.

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is one of the most common crimes in the modern world. 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.

Even before you become aware of any theft, thieves may have already used your identity to open new financial accounts without your knowledge. Other criminal actions include faking tax returns, fraudulent purchases, and receiving or stealing medical care under your insurance. While dealing with customer service departments for a solution, a qualified Washington, D.C. attorney can fast-track the process. In some circumstances, taking the step of seeking legal help is necessary to get the attention of companies and recover your losses.

How Does Identity Theft Happen in Washington, D.C.?

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 these companies’ servers and 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. You should always 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.
• 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 that would normally be 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 Identity Theft Laws?

Under District of Columbia Code, you are guilty of identity theft in the first degree if the property obtained or the amount of financial injury is $1,000 or more. Upon conviction, the perpetrator can face up to 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines. Additionally, the court may order restitution for the full amount of financial injury.

How Can I Detect Identity Theft?

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell 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 Washington, D.C.?

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

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

The Network for Victim Recovery of DC outlines steps to take if you suspect your personal information has been compromised:

• Call the companies where you know fraud occurred and freeze or close the accounts

• Place a fraud alert with the three major credit agencies

• File a report with the FTC and obtain an Identity Theft Affidavit

• File a report with the Metropolitan Police Department

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. An experienced Washington, D.C. attorney can also help you right some of the wrongs you encounter along the way.

Identity Theft Protections

Always take proactive steps to protect yourself from identity theft. To many, 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 Washington, D.C.

Are you facing financial or legal complications related to an identity theft issue in Washington, D.C.? 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 Washington, D.C. 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!