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Identity Theft Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Identity Theft, Employment Law and Consumer Law for New York on
Q: Concerned about identity theft with HR's college transcript request.

I recently submitted my official college transcript and a photo of my degrees to the HR department of my new employer to comply with the onboarding process. However, the HR representative's request had peculiar wording, asking for "her degree" and "her transcripts," which... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 10, 2025

The experienced local employment law attorneys here should have first chance at your question, but you posted a week ago and you straddle a number of categories. From a practical standpoint, the job application process today is not what it used to be (which everyone knows). Resumes are reviewed by... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Tax Law, Identity Theft, Military Law and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Can IRS hold my money during an investigation of alleged tax debt?

I am a Vietnam War veteran, and the IRS has put a hold on my money, stating I owe them $31,000. I haven't filed taxes in 20 years due to being low income and a veteran. I received a letter from the IRS about this issue, but I believe someone might have filed taxes in my name without my... View More

Symantha Rhodes
Symantha Rhodes
answered on May 27, 2025

Yes, the IRS can hold your money, including freezing your bank account, if they believe you owe back taxes, especially during an investigation of alleged tax debt or fraud.

IRS investigation of a potential tax fraud can take a long time to resolve.

To potentially expedite the...
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Q: How can I protect my family from threats, theft, and police inaction?

I am facing a critical situation where someone intentionally poisoned me with a substance that restricted oxygen to my brain, and the authorities have not provided assistance despite my reports. This individual is now threatening my parents; they have stolen money from my parents' account with... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 27, 2025

Given the nature of the threats and the inaction of law enforcement, you should hire private security to protect yourself, your parents, and your respective possessions from the perpetrators.

When you report incidents like this to law enforcement, they have considerable discretion in...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce, Identity Theft, Contracts, Real Estate Law and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Need help with divorce packet in AZ amid privacy invasion and identity theft by spouse.

I've been experiencing ongoing issues related to privacy invasion, identity theft, and forgery by my soon-to-be ex-spouse in Arizona. We were married in Kentucky in 2016 and relocated to Arizona in 2018. Police reports have been filed in February 2025, but no action has been taken yet.... View More

Rich J. Peters
Rich J. Peters
answered on May 13, 2025

I think you are referring to packets from the self service center. If so, you simply need the divorce without children packet. https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/fc_group_3/. Please know that these packets are rather generic and are not going to address every situation that needs to be... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law, Identity Theft, Appeals / Appellate Law and Consumer Law for New York on
Q: How to reinstate a mistakenly withdrawn I-130 petition and appeal an I-485 denial due to suspected identity theft?

I filed an I-130 petition for my father in July 2024. On May 12, 2025, I received a notice from USCIS stating that my petition was withdrawn based on a request they allegedly received from me. However, I did not request or authorize this withdrawal. As a result, my father's I-485 was denied,... View More

Remzi Guvenc Kulen
Remzi Guvenc Kulen
answered on Jun 9, 2025

Even if you contact USCIS and appeal the 130 and the 485, it is possible that USCIS will not reopen the case. Even if it does, it may take a very long time. Congress assistance may work in this case. Contact your congressman and try to get help for this case. Elected official help is great for... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Identity Theft, Civil Rights, Real Estate Law and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Can I sue my landlord for an illegal eviction due to court paperwork errors and damages in CA?

I was evicted from my apartment in Ventura, CA, but the court papers contained the wrong apartment number (210 instead of 201). During the court proceedings, I wasn't allowed to speak or present evidence. The eviction was prompted after I provided proof that my neighbors were using my... View More

Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
answered on May 8, 2025

I suggest you contact a tenant's rights lawyer as soon as possible to get help setting aside your eviction judgment on the grounds of fraud and/or mistake, based on the erroneous listing of your apartment. A good lawyer in that situation could leverage that case into a position where you could... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Identity Theft, Consumer Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Tennessee on
Q: Data breach from school board in Tennessee involving my info, including SSN. Concerned about long-term risks, notified late. Grounds for lawsuit?

I recently received a letter from the Washington County school board notifying me of a data breach involving my personal information, including my social security number, name, contact information, DOB, and possibly my medical history. I am 27 years old and haven't attended these schools since... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 1, 2025

Until you suffer some loss/damages, you do not have a case even if there is a plausible cause of action. It would be a government tort liability action with damage caps, 1 year SOL, and no jury. Few lawyers know how to file one. If something bad happens, and you have done your due diligence to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Identity Theft for Virginia on
Q: Received an email claiming subpoena from Ashburn court, unsure if legitimate. How to verify?

I received an email from "Legal Compliance <support@em.auroratrainingadvantage.com>" claiming they have a subpoena from the District Court for the City of Ashburn. The email requests information about my account login activity, IP logs, and email content for January 2023 and states... View More

Amy McMullen Harber
Amy McMullen Harber pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 25, 2025

Without reviewing the document, it would be difficult to assess the validity. That said, there is no District Court of the City of Ashburn. Ashburn is a location within Loudoun County, Va. but does not have a separate Court. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Identity Theft for Texas on
Q: Received a call about missed court hearing due to a past loan lawsuit from 2023; unsure of legitimacy.

I received a phone call stating I missed a court hearing, which was a surprise since I hadn't received any notification, possibly due to it being sent to an old address. The caller gave me a case number and an attorney's contact. When I called, it was central management telling me that a... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 23, 2025

It most likely is a scam. I recommend you contact either your own lawyer or the court directly.

It is very possible you missed a court date, especially if you moved and failed to notify your own lawyer or the court directly of your change of address. Once you have been served and...
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2 Answers | Asked in Identity Theft, Collections and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Someone took out a loan in my name, and I'm worried about identity theft consequences with Net Pay Advance.

I am a victim of identity theft; someone took out a loan in my name with Net Pay Advance. The fraud department of Net Pay Advance is asking for my Social Security number and driver's license number, but I'm concerned about the misuse of this information. While I have placed fraud alerts... View More

Matthew McKenna
Matthew McKenna
answered on Apr 16, 2025

I would contact one of us Justia consumer protection attorneys that assist consumers with identity theft. You'll want to file a police report and an FTC Fraud Affidavit.

Make sure that any dispute that you have made to Net Pay Advance is in writing and save any correspondence that you...
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2 Answers | Asked in Identity Theft, Consumer Law and Employment Law for South Carolina on
Q: Do I have to pay for fraudulent utility accounts in my name in SC?

I recently discovered that multiple utility accounts were fraudulently opened in my name, resulting in my electricity being cut off. The energy company informed me over the phone that I must pay $4,900 within 24 hours, but I have no knowledge of who committed this fraud or how it happened. I... View More

D. Nathan Davis
D. Nathan Davis
answered on Apr 10, 2025

Welcome to the world that we live in now. Fraud is everywhere and the first step is to contact your local police department. After that, you need to contact the customer service at the electric company and talk with them. The power company is going to assume you are wrong and it is your job to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Identity Theft, White Collar Crime and Criminal Law for New Jersey on
Q: How can I proceed legally after questionable job offer with financial transactions and lost bank access?

I was offered a job with Graceland Logistics, Inc for online chat support and provided a contract, which I received through Tik Tok. They requested personal and financial information, including my bank account details. Recently, they asked me to carry out transactions involving Apple Cash, bank... View More

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Apr 1, 2025

You are being scammed! No legitimate company does things that way. They also wanted you to Commit fraud and/or money laundering for them. Your desperation for a job is clouding your judgment. You should report this to the FBI.

Do not do something like this again! Not trying to be harsh,...
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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Contracts, Identity Theft, Real Estate Law and Consumer Law for California on
Q: How to safeguard lease agreements with tenants using different last names?

I am a landlord of a small family commercial retail space considering a potential tenant application. The applicant has two last names: one on state documents like their driver's license and US passport (which they claim is their birth last name), and another on years of IRS tax filings and... View More

Shawn R. Jackson
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answered on Apr 1, 2025

On the assumption that you want to bind "all" tenants and individuals occupying the space, you will want all names and any "aliases" that they may be using. One of several "focus points" you will want as the landlord in the lease, along with any personal guarantees ...... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Identity Theft and Banking for California on
Q: How to verify legitimacy of email claiming to be from Federal Reserve Bank?

I received an email from someone claiming to be Mr. Powell, Chief Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank, stating that I owe a lump sum of money. The email includes his contact information and offers three methods for me to receive funds but requests my bank account and routing number. There were no... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 22, 2025

The Federal Reserve Bank doesn't collect money from taxpayers. That's the IRS. If you must, the contact info for the Federal Reserve for the western US is here:

federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/federal-reserve-system-san-francisco.htm

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1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft, Employment Law, Tax Law and Insurance Bad Faith for Florida on
Q: Legal recourse after $16,000 stolen from 401(k) due to identity theft and incorrect 1099-R issued by Fidelity.

My wife had $16,000 stolen from her 401(k) account with Fidelity following an identity theft incident in June. We were not informed by Fidelity until we discovered the account was blocked in November. We have reported this to the police, Identitytheft.gov, and social security. Fidelity claims to be... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 9, 2025

If your money is not refunded, you might have a potential negligence claim against Fidelity, which is likely insured for that. Schedule an appointment with a lawyer in your area who handles civil litigation including negligence claims against financial institutions. The lawyer should promptly... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Identity Theft and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Identity and mortgage fraud involving LLC and house sale under my name.

I am dealing with identity fraud and mortgage fraud. Someone opened an LLC under my name and also sold a house in my name by signing the documents, leading to financial losses. How should I proceed with this situation?

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Mar 3, 2025

You omit key facts that would permit any opinion. For example, was property acquired in your name improperly? Or was property already owned by you fraudulently transferred by another using your name? And do you know any of the participants in the transactions, personally? This is a complex ball of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Identity Theft and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Identity and mortgage fraud involving LLC and house sale under my name.

I am dealing with identity fraud and mortgage fraud. Someone opened an LLC under my name and also sold a house in my name by signing the documents, leading to financial losses. How should I proceed with this situation?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Mar 6, 2025

Fraud of any kind may be a criminal offense. If you were not involved in any way with the property or the LLC, and this is a complete stranger to you who perpetrated these acts, then you should be contacting the police in the jurisdiction where the property was located or where you believe the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Identity Theft and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: Received court date after paying past rent. Stolen money orders involved.

I received a notice for non-payment of rent in NYC, but before the deadline, I paid the $2,500 past due rent with money orders that were later stolen and cashed fraudulently. Once I realized the problem, I paid the past and present rent again, totaling $2,500, which the landlord's office has... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Mar 2, 2025

Dear Brooklyn Tenant

You have an initial court date for the nonpayment case because you Answered the Petition. It's not going away on its own. This doesn't mean that the landlord won't discontinue the proceeding on the initial court date since you say that all the rent owed...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections, Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I sue for damages from SSN identity theft affecting mortgage? MD

I discovered an account in collections on my credit report that was fraudulently opened using my SSN. I reported the identity theft to my local police department and disputed the account with Experian, which removed it. However, Transunion has not removed it, and as I'm applying for a... View More

Matthew McKenna
Matthew McKenna
answered on Feb 25, 2025

I would contact a consumer protection attorney familiar with the Fair Credit Reporting Act to determine if there is an actionable claim against Trans Union. If there is an actionable FCRA claim, there's a chance that this increased interest rate can be used as damages but tough to determine... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law, Identity Theft and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: How to address medical treatment denial and personal information hacking issues?

I have been experiencing a situation where a group of people have allegedly hacked into my information and interfered with my medical treatment. For the past 11 months, they have reportedly contacted medical facilities such as Odessa Regional Hospital in Odessa, TX, instructing them not to assist... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 24, 2025

First, you need to identify the people who have hacked into your information and interfered with your treatment. This is not the job of a lawyer. It could be the job of law enforcement or a private investigator who specializes in cyber security.

Second, you need to gather evidence of how...
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