Types of Identity Theft: Warning Signs and Your Legal Options in New York

What are the different types of identity theft?

Identity theft is not a single crime. It takes several forms, each with its own consequences:

• Financial identity theft. A criminal accesses bank accounts or credit cards, or applies for loans, using stolen personal data. Victims may find unauthorized transactions or new accounts opened in their name.
• Medical identity theft. Stolen identities are used to obtain treatment, prescriptions, or insurance claims, which can produce inaccurate medical records or unexpected bills.
• Government identity theft. Social Security numbers and other identifiers are used to file fraudulent tax returns or claim benefits under a false identity.
• Digital identity theft. Phishing, data breaches, and malware are used to steal passwords and access online accounts.
• Social media impersonation. Fake profiles built from stolen information are used to impersonate real people, leading to reputation harm or fraudulent solicitations.
• Child identity theft. A minor's Social Security number is used to open accounts or take out loans, often undetected for years.
• Criminal identity theft. Someone uses another person's identity during an arrest, which can leave the victim facing wrongful accusations.
• Business identity theft. A business identity is impersonated to scam customers or obtain fraudulent loans.

How does identity theft happen?

Criminals obtain personal information through phishing scams, data breaches, interception on public Wi-Fi, and even physical mail theft. Once they have key identifiers, they can open accounts, apply for credit, or create new identities entirely.

What are the warning signs of identity theft?

Recognizing identity theft early can limit the damage. Common red flags include:

• Unexpected bank withdrawals or credit card charges.
• Denied medical claims for services never received.
• Notices from the IRS about unfiled or duplicate tax returns.
• Accounts or loans on a credit report that the consumer never opened.
• Suspicious activity on, or loss of access to, online and social media accounts.

Identity Theft Is a Federal Crime

Identity theft is a federal crime, and federal law may provide a legal remedy for the people it harms. Where fraud leads to inaccurate information on a credit report, the Fair Credit Reporting Act may also apply. Petroff Amshen LLP represents identity theft victims in New York and takes the legal action the law allows.

When Identity Theft Damages Your Credit

One of the most lasting effects of identity theft is on the credit report. Fraudulent accounts, unauthorized inquiries, and collection items opened in a victim's name can appear for years. When that happens, the issue is often not only the fraud itself but how the information is reported. The Fair Credit Reporting Act provides a process to dispute it, and a legal route when a dispute does not resolve.

How Petroff Amshen Approaches Identity Theft Cases

Petroff Amshen LLP represents New York consumers harmed by identity theft, focused on the credit and reporting consequences the firm handles:

• Wrongful reporting. Where identity theft produces inaccurate credit reporting, the firm represents clients in disputing the information and, where the Fair Credit Reporting Act is violated, taking legal action in state and federal courts.
• Fraudulent accounts and inquiries. The firm reviews the credit file, evaluates any prior dispute, and pursues claims where the law has been violated.

This is not credit repair. Petroff Amshen LLP is a New York law firm that litigates Fair Credit Reporting Act claims. Credit repair companies are not law firms and cannot enforce a consumer's rights in court.

Authoritative sources: IdentityTheft.gov · FTC consumer resources