Identity Theft; It’s Only Funny in Movies

Of course, we all enjoy a good comedy movie. It’s funny to watch on the big screen an exaggerated story about someone else’s misfortune. This is true for the 2013 movie Identity Theft starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy. McCarthy and Bateman share the name “Sandy Patterson.”The real Sandy Patterson’s identity has been stolen by a woman in Florida living it up in his name. His job is on the line so he decided to track her down and prove that his credit issues are not his doing. What he finds is an overweight, middle-aged, woman who tries to run for it every chance she gets. On top of that she is being chased by bounty hunters. Unlike real life, they bond in the process and become friends.

While this sounds like a funny story with a happy ending, unfortunately for people in the real world, when their identity is stolen, it’s more like a nightmare than a comedy. When someone steals your identity suddenly your credit score you worked so hard to protect can plummet, unpaid bills start piling up, creditors begin calling, and the walls of your world can start closing in. It’s difficult when you’re the victim and the burden of proof is your responsibility. It can seem like an uphill battle when communicating with banks, credit card companies, utility companies, and unkind creditors.

What You Can Do To Protect Your Identity

• Protect sensitive information – use electronic statements and direct deposit. Shred anything with personal information in it, and never give out your Social Security number.
• Be aware of technology – keep your antivirus software up to date, don’t respond to fishy emails from people you don’t know, and never give personal information out including passwords, and be careful using unsecured websites when using WIFI.
• Watch your bank accounts and credit cards for anything that looks like fraud, sign up for alerts when available.
• Report anything you see quickly, file a police report, and inform your banks and creditors immediately.

Contact A Legal Representative

If you find yourself in an identity theft situation and are in need of an attorney, Paul Morrison has the experience you need to help you. Call (913) 780-6666 or send an e-mail to schedule a free consultation. We are located in Olathe and serve people from the Johnson County area.