Identity theft is a distressing crime that can have severe and long-lasting repercussions for its victims; it’s a subject we cover extensively in our articles because it’s so far-reaching and has many forms to take. Despite being innocent, individuals who fall victim to identity theft often grapple with numerous challenges. This article explores the common…
Tax identity theft poses a significant risk to individuals, potentially leading to financial losses and endless stress and work trying to fix it. Criminals who gain access to Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) can file fraudulent tax returns before victims even realize their identities have been stolen. These crimes have become more commonplace in recent years….
The apartment industry understands it has an identity theft problem. It’s simple; more online applications have led to more rental identity theft. Property managers know this. A 2018 survey commissioned by credit reporting agency Trans Union found that 97% of property managers had experienced identity theft problems within the past two years. Most rental identity…
As the popularity of solar energy continues to rise for both homeowners and commercial property owners, so do the instances of solar scams. These scams often involve door-to-door salesmen who make false promises and come armed with lengthy and misleading contracts that ask people to “sign” on an iPad or tablet without reading them. These…
Identity theft is an increasingly pervasive crime that can take various forms; we’ve covered the subject extensively in this blog. “Criminal records identity theft” occurs when someone wrongfully uses another person’s identity to commit illegal activities, leaving the victim facing severe consequences. The types of crimes committed under the umbrella of criminal identity can range…
If you want to shield yourself from identity theft, you might be considering a security freeze and/or a credit lock. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two measures; by understanding their features and limitations, consumers can make informed decisions about their credit protection needs. Security Freeze: Your Statutory Right. A security…
Breach of peace repossession – a legal term that describes a situation where a creditor or debt collector has taken possession of consumer property, usually a car, using force or intimidation. A breach of peace repossession in Maryland is illegal and can result in severe penalties. Car repossession is an unfortunate reality that many people…
As a consumer protection lawyer, one of the most common questions I receive from clients and non-clients alike is, “how do I get debt collectors to stop calling!?.” Having creditors constantly calling is a stressful and unpleasant experience, to say the least. Fortunately, there are measures that consumers can take to keep debt collectors from…
Early this month, our in-house identity theft lawyer, Emanwel (Manny) Turnbull, had a chance to engage in discussion with Hatti Savari and her popular, law-focused podcast, “Get Legally Speaking.” The conversation focuses on some of the more alarming trends and statics regarding identity theft and credit reporting errors many Americans face today, in the post-pandemic…
Maryland’s repossession laws have specific provisions designed to protect consumers from overreaching banks and finance companies. You still have protections even if your car was a “voluntary repo.” In general, the bank or finance company still has to give you notice of the time and place of the sale, still has to give you a…