Tens of millions of people have their identities stolen every year. In fact, nearly 15 million people were victims of identity theft in 2019. Of those identity theft victims who suffered unreimbursed expenses due to identity theft, the median loss was approximately $400. In other words, identity theft has a major impact on its victims, and those who suffer financial losses due to identity theft often must resort to legal action to recoup their losses. Luckily, the victims of identity theft may be entitled to damages, which are a form of financial compensation. Below is an overview of identity theft lawsuits, including the types of damages available in these cases. For additional information, please contact a consumer class action attorney as soon as possible.
Liability for Identity Theft
Before you seek damages in an identity theft lawsuit, you must determine who is at fault for your losses. In a perfect world, you would bring a lawsuit against the person who stole your identity. However, identity thieves are often difficult to catch. Luckily, in cases where the thief can’t be located, there are other parties who may be held liable for your losses. Certain institutions are responsible for keeping your personal information, such as your Social Security number, private. When they fail to do so, they can be held responsible for your losses. Parties that can be held liable for identity theft include:
- Banks and other financial institutions,
- Government entities,
- Creditors, and
- Employers.
Causes of Action for Identity Theft
There are several causes of action for identity theft due to the various ways that an identity can be stolen. Examples of possible causes of action include:
- Infliction of emotional distress,
- Negligence,
- Invasion of privacy,
- Breach of fiduciary duty, and
- Breach of contract.
Damages for Identity Theft
Depending on the cause of action in your case, the extent of your loss, and the type of defendant, you may have several forms of compensation available in your case, including:
- Compensatory damages,
- Emotional damages,
- Punitive damages, and
- Injunctive relief.
In order to determine what type of financial compensation you may be entitled to, you should contact a consumer class action attorney.
Contact a Consumer Class Action Attorney Today!
If you have suffered losses due to identity theft, you need to contact an experienced consumer class action attorney as soon as possible. As noted above, identity theft is often the result of the negligence of financial organizations and other businesses that store or have access to your personal information. When an entity provides a party with unauthorized access to this information, our attorneys will work hard to hold it responsible for your financial losses. Our talented legal team has extensive investigative, litigation, and trial experience, which means that we understand what it takes to be successful in your consumer class action lawsuit. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation.