Best Private Detective Service in California Identity Theft Cases
Private investigators in California identity theft cases know all the different ways that this type of fraud can happen. Private investigation firms in Los Angeles see these cases all too often including scammers opening up fraudulent lines of credit and attempting to gain illicit access to other financial accounts as well as phishing and email scams that may attempt to involve an innocent person in money laundering and other illegal activities, sometimes before the victim even realizes they’ve been targeted. Our woman-owned Los Angeles private detective agency Kinsey Investigations has helped victims of many kinds of identity theft prevent additional losses and gather the evidence of the fraudulent activity to begin rebuilding their lives. We have the best technology and years of experience to gather evidence and prove fraud in cases of ATM skimming, phishing, credit card fraud, and more.
Identity Theft Private Investigations in Los Angeles & Orange Counties
It’s something we think could never happen to us, yet over 5 million Americans fall victim to identity theft each year. The most common types of identity theft involve stealing someone’s personal information such as their name, address, social security number, or credit card information in order to commit fraud or other crimes. California private investigators know the techniques hackers and scammers use to gain access to a person’s financial accounts or to open new accounts in their name. If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, hiring a private investigator can help you identify the source of the identity theft, uncover any fraudulent activity, and seek restitution.
In the last couple of years, cases of identity theft have skyrocketed. In 2020 alone, more than half of all Americans reported experiencing some sort of identity theft. This is in large part due to our reliance on the Internet and technologies that gather and store millions of people’s personal information online. The types of attacks and the ways that cyber criminals are carrying them out continually become more sophisticated which has also contributed to this unfortunate trend.
Over the past few years, private detectives have documented new technologies developed by hackers and scammers to augment and streamline their various scams. For example, ATM skimming schemes have been popping up all over southern California. This scam involves placing a device on an ATM that is designed to read and store your card information, as well as any data you input. While financial institutions and other service providers continually work to improve security measures and safeguard their clients’ information, keeping up with changing times and technology continues to challenge even the most technologically advanced institutions. Phishing scams are another form of fraud that involve criminals sending out emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a credit card company. The messages contain a link to a website that looks legitimate, and when clicked, the user is asked to input their personal information. This information can then be used to access financial accounts and other aspects of victims’ identities.
Kinsey Investigations Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Identity Theft
There are, of course, ways to keep your identity more secure. Whenever you receive a phone call, email or other type of message that seems to be from your financial institution or any service provider with whom you might share sensitive information, be wary about giving any personal details or passwords over the phone or clicking on any links in emails. Most banks will never ask for your password over email or phone. If you have any suspicion about the legitimacy of a message, it’s best to call your institution directly at the main number listed for them, or visit their website at the primary URL you already know. At an ATM, look carefully for anything that looks like it may not be an original part of the machine. Consider going into the branch and asking or speaking directly with a teller if something appears out of place. Always be sure to cover the keypad when entering your banking information, and regularly monitor your bank accounts for any suspicious activity, especially when you travel outside of the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.
At Kinsey Investigations, we know that even taking every precaution, it is still possible for someone to steal your identity. Your bank may experience a data breach, or a legitimate online shop may be hacked. The good news is there are ways to track down the thief and hold them accountable. That is where our private investigations services comes in. Our female private detectives utilize state-of-the-art technology to monitor and search for fraudulent activity. If someone has stolen your identity, we will gather the evidence you need to prove the fraud and can help you through any necessary litigation. A Kinsey Investigations private investigator can also review your security practices and provide personalized tips to keep yourself safe so that you can avoid identity theft in the future.
