Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on LinkedIn

Identity theft is the act of stealing someone’s personal information and using it for illegal purposes, such as withdrawing money, filing tax returns, opening credit accounts, and making insurance claims. In this article, we examine a recent identity theft case and explain how to check for signs of identity theft. 

A Recent Example

The New York Times recently reported on an incident involving identity theft and the purchase of firearms. In 2022, a delivery service delivered two packages containing approximately $5,000 worth of gun parts and gun accessories to a home in Chino Hills, California. The items were purchased under an installment payment plan offered by a company that offers “buy now, pay later” payment options for the purchase of firearms. The deliveries were addressed to a man named Seung Song.

However, according to Mr. Song, he never ordered the items, and he never received a delivery. Rather, Mr. Song claims that he learned of the purchase after receiving notification of a $5,000 debt that had been added to his credit report. Mr. Song claimed that someone opened an account to purchase the items using his personal information. 

A law enforcement official later stated that the police determined that the gun parts had been legally shipped to a home in Chino Hills and considered Mr. Song to be a potential victim of identity theft. 

Unfortunately, Mr. Song’s situation represents a rising trend of identity theft involving the “buy now, pay later” industry. In addition, it illustrates the multiple dangers associated with identity theft. 

Checking for Identity Theft

Everyone should routinely check for signs of identity theft. Ways to check for identity theft include: 

Monitor your credit score: There are credit monitoring services available that allow you to keep track of your credit score. If your score experiences a sudden drop, this may be indicative of identity theft. 

Review your credit reports: In addition to monitoring your credit score, you should routinely review your credit reports. While reviewing your report, you should look for accounts that you don’t recognize. 

Review your statements: You should also regularly review your bank account and credit card statements to ensure that you recognize all transactions. Any unusual transactions may indicate that something is amiss. 

Monitor your email: Finally, if your information has been released or compromised in a data breach, you should receive correspondence informing you of this. In addition, you should be on the lookout for emails notifying you of recent suspicious account activity. 

Contact a Consumer Class Action Lawyer 

If you believe that you are a victim of identity theft, you should take immediate action. Identity theft often occurs when companies release people’s personal information without their permission. When an institution compromises your personal information, you should be compensated for any resulting losses. Please contact experienced attorney Seth Lehrman today to schedule a free consultation.