In today’s world there are many fraudulent scams going around, from get-rich-quick schemes and forgery to mortgage and consumer fraud. Fraud lawyers can assist you if you feel that you have been ripped off or led to engage in a transaction that was misrepresented. Identity theft/fraud lawyers specialize in the laws that help to provide fraud protection for both consumers and businesses. Just because a transaction appears “shady” does not guarantee that its legally classified as fraud. To be legally actionable, there are at least four elements that must be proven in order for the case to be considered by the courts:
- There must be material (significant) misrepresentation
- You must prove the defendant’s intent to misrepresent
- You must prove that you relied on the misrepresentation in make your decision
- You must prove that you were harmed by the misrepresentation
If a fraud claim meets these four requirements, it may be considered to be fraud by a court. Fraud lawyers can review the facts of the case and advise you whether or not it is actionable in a court of law. Even if you cannot prove all of these elements, it is advisable to consult with a fraud attorney, who can determine whether there might be some other cause of action. If it is not fraud, there may be some other laws that apply, making the case an actionable claim.
When subjected to fraudulent activity, you don’t have to settle for being a victim. By hiring an experienced fraud lawyer, you can take action and make the swindler pay for the damage done to you. If you have experienced mortgage fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft, or one of the many types of consumer fraud, seek counsel from fraud lawyers who specialize in fraud protection laws.
Consumer Fraud Protection Laws
Consumer fraud protection laws help protect you against a wide variety of scams. Pyramid schemes, false advertising, bait and switch schemes, internet-related fraud, credit card fraud, mortgage fraud, bank fraud, phone company fraud, insurance fraud, advance-fee schemes, and misrepresented prizes or sweepstakes are commonly addressed by fraud lawyers. If you’re not familiar with advance-fee schemes, they are also knows as Nigerian letter frauds, or 419 fraud. These types of frauds offer the recipient an ‘opportunity’ to share in a percentage of an amount of money after providing their own financial information for ‘processing’ fees.
The Federal Trade Commission Fraud Division
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) takes complaints from consumers concerning consumer fraud and identity theft, and they use the statistics to provide warnings to consumers. If you feel that you have been subjected to fraud or identity theft but the loss is not significant enough for you warrant hiring a fraud attorney, it is highly recommended that you report your claim to the FTC. Doing so will probably not result in restitution for you, but your report may help the FTC to identify schemes and provide other consumers information that may prevent them from falling for the same scheme.
The FTC provides publications about claims in the consumer protection part of their website. Some of the categories that the FTC addresses include:
- Buying, financing, leasing, renting, or getting maintenance on an automobile
- Buying a computer, internet access, internet-related entertainment, online shopping and e-payments, privacy and security, spam email, and web scams
- Credit reporting, credit cards, consumer loans, debt resolutions, real estate and mortgage fraud, and privacy
- Information on education, finding a job and scholarships
- Health issues such as treatments, drugs and dietary supplements, and weight loss and fitness
- Identity theft, privacy and security and children’s privacy
- Schemes involving business opportunities, work at home schemes and investment schemes
- Telemarketing and mail order schemes
Identity Theft
Identity theft is a form of fraud in which someone pretends to be someone else by assuming that person’s identity. Typically the goal of identity theft is to access resources or obtain credit and other benefits in that person’s name. The victims of identity theft can be individuals or organizations and the consequences of identity theft can be far-reaching. Many people think nothing of writing their name, phone number, or social security number on any form, but it’s an open invitation for this activity to occur.
Thieves can steal your name, address, bank or credit card number, and social security number to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft victims can have their credit ruined, their bank accounts drained and their retirement benefits stolen. If your credit is destroyed, you might not be able to get a new job, a loan, a car, or a house. You could even be arrested for crimes you didn’t commit. If you have been a victim of identity theft, it’s important to contact an attorney who can help you get your identity and your life back.
Types of Identity Theft
- Business/commercial identity theft (using another’s business name to obtain credit)
- Criminal identity theft (posing as another person when apprehended for a crime)
- Financial identity theft (using another’s identity to obtain credit, goods and services)
- Identity cloning (using another’s information to assume his or her identity in daily life)
- Medical identity theft (using another’s identity to obtain medical care or drugs)
Identity theft may be used to facilitate or fund other crimes including illegal immigration, terrorism, and espionage. There are cases of identity cloning to attack payment systems, including online credit card processing and medical insurance. Identity thieves occasionally impersonate others for non-financial reasons, for instance, to receive praise or attention for the victim’s achievements.
What to do if you are a victim of identity theft
Exactly which steps you should take to protect yourself depends on your circumstances and how your identity has been misused. However, three basic actions are appropriate in almost every case:
- Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Tell them that you’re an identity theft victim. Request that a “fraud alert” be placed in your file, as well as a victim’s statement asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name. At the same time, order copies of your credit reports from the credit bureaus. Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of your report if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, and you request it in writing. Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts. Also, check the section of your report that lists “inquiries.” Where “inquiries” appear from the company(s) that opened the fraudulent account(s), request that these “inquiries” be removed from your report. In a few months, order new copies of your reports to verify your corrections and changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
- Contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Creditors can include credit card companies, phone companies and other utilities, and banks and other lenders. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each creditor, and follow up with a letter. It’s particularly important to notify credit card companies in writing because that’s the consumer protection procedure the law spells out for resolving errors on credit card billing statements. Immediately close accounts that have been tampered with and open new ones with new Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and passwords.
- File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the police report in case the bank, credit card company or others need proof of the crime. Even if the police can’t catch the identity thief in your case, having a copy of the police report can help you when dealing with creditors.
- Contact an experienced attorney to represent your interests until your money has been recovered, your credit has been restored, and you have your identity back.
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