The internet is a great place as it allows us to communicate with friends and family. Similarly, it lets brands to stay connected with clients through email promotions. However, hackers have figured out how to make emails that look so realistic that the recipient wouldn’t notice that it’s not legitimate. Known as phishing scams, these steal information and identities. Keep reading to learn more about this form of identity theft and how a Los Angeles, California identity theft lawyer can help you get justice.
What Constitutes a Phishing Scam?
Phishing scams are a form of identity theft that occurs when a thief contacts a consumer pretending to be a legitimate business as a means of stealing the identity and sensitive information of the target.
Common scams include getting an “alert” from your “credit card company” informing you that someone has used your card information in a faraway location. When you tell them this was an unauthorized transaction, they will ask you to confirm the card information. By giving them the details, they now have your information.
Another type of scam that is common is sending fake emails to consumers. These look legitimate enough, with the same formatting and logos. However, these will often have typos or other red flags you should consider. Linked in the email will be a website that brings you to a log in screen. These are not real websites, and are used to get your passwords.
What Are the Implications of Phishing Scams?
When you give a scammer your sensitive information, it’s essential to understand how it can be used against you. If you give them your credit card information, they can use it to make unauthorized purchases on your account. Similarly, if you log into a fake website with your banking username, the thieves can steal the details of your login to access your accounts and other sensitive information.
Once a scammer has your information, they can use it in many different locations. For example, they can use your name, date of birth, and the social security number on your account to open numerous accounts and take out loans in your name.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Impacted?
If you’ve been affected by a phishing scam, it’s necessary to understand how to proceed. The first thing you should do is contact the credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your accounts. This means no one can open accounts under your name without the creditor first calling you to confirm whether or not it is really you.
Next, you’ll want to contact an attorney. Unfortunately, these scammers can be sophisticated. However, working with an attorney may be able to help you locate and hold the scammer responsible for their actions. At the very least, an attorney can help you get the unauthorized accounts removed from your credit report.
At LA Legal Solutions, we understand that phishing scams can impact many. As such, we will do everything possible to help you navigate the process of getting justice. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
