Consumer Lawyer

Employment identity theft is a rapidly growing form of fraud where criminals use stolen personal information—particularly Social Security numbers—to gain employment, collect wages, or access workplace benefits. In 2020 alone, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) logged over 316,500 reports of employment or tax-related identity theft, and the numbers have only increased with the digitalization…

The FBI investigates large-scale, cyber-enabled, or organized identity theft cases—especially those involving losses over $100,000, synthetic identity fraud, data breaches, or national security threats. It operates through the Cyber Division, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), and joint task forces with agencies like the IRS-CID, Secret Service, and INTERPOL. Victims can report via IC3.gov or…

Yes, police do investigate identity theft—but only if specific conditions are met, such as substantial financial loss, clear evidence, or links to organized crime. Cases with insufficient documentation or those falling below dollar thresholds often receive minimal attention from under-resourced local departments. Why This Matters More Than Ever in 2025 Identity theft remains one of…

Identity theft in Texas is not just a financial inconvenience—it’s a serious criminal offense under Texas law. Victims must take swift legal and financial steps to protect themselves. Filing a police report is the foundation for disputing fraudulent charges, freezing your credit, and restoring your financial identity. Whether you’re in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston,…

Yes — your driver’s license number can be used for identity theft. Criminals use it to forge IDs, open financial accounts, reroute your mail, apply for benefits, create synthetic identities, and more. The consequences range from financial loss to false criminal records. Immediate action and robust digital and physical protections are key. Why Driver’s License…

Yes, you can get a new Social Security number (SSN) after identity theft, but only under limited, severe conditions and with significant evidence. The process is long, complex, and often considered a last resort by the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you’re facing ongoing fraud, harassment, or administrative issues tied to your SSN, here’s everything…

Yes, Credit Karma does monitor for identity theft, but only to a basic extent. It offers free alerts for suspicious credit activity through Equifax and TransUnion, scans the dark web for exposed personal information, and monitors public records for unusual changes. However, it lacks full coverage compared to premium identity theft protection services and does…

Recovering your credit after identity theft can take anywhere from 30 days to over 12 months, depending on the complexity of the fraud, how quickly you act, and how responsive credit bureaus and creditors are. This 2025 guide provides a detailed, step-by-step timeline, expert tips, dispute strategies, legal insights, and emotional coping tools—making it the…

As identity theft evolves through AI-driven scams, synthetic fraud, and increasingly sophisticated social engineering tactics, identity protection services have become essential rather than optional. Among the top contenders, Discover Identity Theft Protection stands out for its affordability and generous family coverage—but does it offer enough to justify the $15 monthly price tag? This definitive 2025…