Identity Theft in New York City

What To Do If Your Identity Is Stolen

Identity theft across the United States has been escalating at an alarming rate in recent years. In fact, a new crime occurs every two seconds! Unfortunately, it is very easy to fall into the trap of an identity thief: The simple act of revealing your birth date and current address to unauthorized individuals online can lead to serious repercussions. You may notice your credit scores suddenly dropping or may even be accused of a crime that you did not commit.

At American Eagle Investigations, top private investigators in NYC, we understand that identity theft is a serious problem in our country, and thus we do our part in New York and surrounding areas to put a stop to it. With practiced skill and extensive experience, our expert private investigators can identify the perpetrator – in many cases someone you have never come into contact with, yet it could also be someone you know – to restore your reputation and place the blame where it is due.

In order to conduct a thorough investigation, we begin by obtaining the following information from the identity theft victim:

• Legal name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• E-mail address
• A copy of their credit report
• Relevant account numbers
• When and how the theft was discovered
• The perpetrator’s potential motive
• The victim’s relationship with the perpetrator (if any)

The purpose of the initial interview is not only to confirm the facts but also to have a solid foundation on which to build the new facts for the subsequent trial. That is why it is crucial to come to us immediately if you notice any suspicious activity involving your personal information, such as a false application for a credit card, a letter from a company that you do not support financially, and anything else that you did not authorize.

If you believe that you may be the unfortunate victim of identity theft, do not panic! Simply contact American Eagle Investigations at 212-344-8997 for a detailed consultation. We are some of the best in the business and we can help you. Your expert New York private detectives will promptly begin gathering the necessary facts to get your life back on track.

How Do I Prevent Identity Theft?

When you hear the term “identity theft”, you likely think of grand theft auto or a high-profile murder where the perpetrator placed the blame on someone else. Perhaps you believe that it could never happen to you. However, did you know that identity theft affects over 17 million Americans every year?

With the internet’s presence in every aspect of our lives, most people have become excessively trusting with their personal information online. Plus, most people are not tech-savvy enough to prevent hackers from getting unauthorized access to phones and computers containing personal data. Furthermore, experts found that 68.2% of identity theft crimes occur offline, something that few people believe or are prepared for. What is even more alarming is that 43% of all identity thefts are committed by someone who the victim knows!

Here’s how to prevent identity theft. To ensure that you are the only individual with complete access to your personal information, the following are 15 best ways to prevent identity theft:

1. Treat your Social Security Number (SSN) as confidential information and only supply it to a third party when absolutely necessary.
2. Never respond to unsolicited requests for your personal information by phone or email. Ensure that your children know this as well.
3. Never send in your personal information to receive a free giveaway, unless it is a national corporation or government website.
4. If your mail is sent to an external mailbox, collect it promptly or have the post office store it when you are away.
5. Keep a close eye on billing cycles and credit card statements to detect any inconsistencies immediately.
6. Request a credit report once a year to ensure that there are no unauthorized accounts under your name.
7. Secure your computer with a reliable anti-virus program and keep it up to date.
8. Create impersonal passwords, preferably a different one for every online account.
9. Do not keep a written record of your passwords. If you must have one, keep the file secure with an additional password.
10. When typing passwords, cover computer and ATM keyboards from “shoulder surfers,” i.e., those who might be watching from behind.
11. Tell your children to ask your permission before paying for something online or clicking through from one website to another.
12. Tell your children to never arrange meetings with someone they met online without your knowledge or approval.
13. Review your medical records regularly for inaccuracies that could prove to be life-threatening.
14. Shred all sensitive information regularly, including expired credit cards, bank statements and bills, credit offers and more.
15. Report any suspicious, unauthorized activity to a private investigator or your local police department.

Need Help Recovering Your Identity? Contact Top New York Private Investigators, American Eagle, Today

Do you suspect that you may be the next victim of identity theft in NYC or somewhere in the state of New York? If so, we urge you to contact us at American Eagle Investigations as soon a possible. As the area’s leading specialist in domestic investigations, we are experts in the field and are committed to ensuring that the world knows who you truly are! If you think you need our help, don’t hesitate to contact us to get things sorted out. And can also assist if you have fallen victim to a fake social media scam or some other cybercrime.