Anyone in Oklahoma could be a victim of identity theft despite their best efforts to protect their information. For instance, if a bank or major website experiences a data breach, an individual’s credit card or checking account number could be accessible to anyone who wants it. However, there are steps that people can take to minimize the chances that their data is compromised. For example, individuals should review their credit card and bank statements regularly.
It is also a good idea for an individual to obtain a copy of his or her credit report. This may make it easier to see if accounts new accounts have been opened or current accounts altered without that individual’s consent. Other signs of identity theft include no longer receiving bills or statements from a lender or financial institution. A failure to receive these notices could be an indication that a thief has taken over the account and changed the mailing address.
Those who are victims of identity theft could receive credit cards that they never applied for or information about jobs that they never applied for. Another sign of a potential problem is receiving calls from debt collectors about debts that an individual didn’t actually accrue. Individuals who are concerned about identity theft may want to consider paying for credit monitoring services.
A person who steals another individual’s identity could face significant criminal penalties. Those who are convicted of white collar crimes may be sent to jail or prison, pay a fine and be ordered to pay restitution to victims. An attorney might be able to help a person who is charged such a crime obtain a favorable outcome in his or her case. Individuals may be given leniency in exchange for offering information about other white collar cases.
