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Has Your Identity Been Stolen?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm on November 16, 2021 in Data Breach
Updated on February 24, 2022

If you received a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH letter, contact the Arnold Law Firm at (916) 777-7777 to discuss your legal options, or submit a confidential Case Evaluation form here.

identity theftMany people first find out they are the victim of a data breach when they receive a notice in the mail from a company informing them that they are part of a “data incident” or “data breach.” Often times, these data breaches are the result of an organization failing to follow the law and take basic security measures to protect your information from a ransomware or cyberattack. Aside from receiving a notice by mail, email, or text, you can look for signs that indicate that your identity has been stolen.

According to the Better Business Bureau, some of the common signs of identity theft include:

  • You receive statements or bills for accounts you never opened.
  • You were denied a loan or credit because your credit score was much lower than the last time you checked.
  • Your regular bills stop showing up in the mail or your mail has been forwarded without your consent.
  • You notice suspicious activity showing up on your bank account or credit card.
  • You receive authentication messages from organizations or accounts you did not set up.
  • Your tax return was rejected by the IRS.
  • Debt collectors call about debts you are not aware of.

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. According to the Federal Trade Commission, there were nearly 1.4 million reports of identity theft in 2020. Internet criminals seek information called Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Protected Health Information (PHI). PII and PHI is considered part of your identity and is protected by Federal law, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and State law, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Businesses are required to secure PII and PHI or risk facing statutory penalties, among other legal penalties.

NOTICE: If you received a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH or you think you have been impacted by a data breach, contact the Arnold Law Firm at (916) 777-7777 to discuss your legal options, or submit a confidential Case Evaluation request form here.