Melissa McCarthy Might Make You Laugh But There’s Nothing Funny About Identity Theft

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We’ve all seen the movie Identity Theft by now and found both Sandy Pattersons hilarious but, like most Hollywood efforts, this film depicts a situation that goes far beyond the giggles. For the most part, this might be a movie about facing up to your mistakes, coming to terms with yourself, and all the rest of it. But, on a more upfront level, it also brings the crime of identity theft into the public eye.

Sadly, around 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. That’s worrying when you consider the legal implications this crime can have. Sandy Patterson might have seemed harmless in her McCarthy guise, but her crimes could have caused real damage, and even left Sandy Patterson-the-1st having to seek a federal criminal defense lawyer to protect his name (quite literally.) Worse, the complex legal landscape regarding identity theft could see lasting damage on the guys’ credit report. Not to mention that he very nearly lost his job!

This situation is all too familiar for many, and it isn’t half as funny when it happens in real life. Hence why, to protect your finances, you need to be on the defense at all times. Specifically, the subtle nature of identity theft means that you should always keep an eye out for these red flags.

Discrepancies on your credit report

As well as helping you to track your chances for loan approval, credit report tools that use soft checks highlight the credit discrepancies that typically come alongside identity theft. After all, whether a thief is using your bank account or just your details, your credit rating will start to drop. This is the first sign of trouble, and spotting it sooner rather than later is your best chance at avoiding lasting damage. 

Bank statements that don’t match your spending

Now that bank statements have gone online, it’s astounding how few of us actually check our spending. This means that it’s easier than ever for thieves to profit, highlighting the importance of still scanning your statement for odd purchases each month. Noticing spending that you don’t recognize can be a significant source of anxiety, but it allows you to raise the issue with your bank within a few days. That way, you’ll be in a far better position to prove fraud and clear your financial standing. Not to mention that you can prevent further losses!

Debt calls you don’t owe

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Unfortunately, many of us don’t spot theft until we get calls from unknown debtors. As seen in the movie, the legal standing on this is complicated, and debtors aren’t obliged to clear those debts because you don’t recognize them. While it’s worth taking action well before this point, any suspicious debtor calls should be taken seriously, with legal help and the checks above all essential for understanding and stopping the situation fast.

Far from comedy gold, real-life identity thieves are calculated criminals who do a lot of damage. Keep your wits about you with these tips so that you can forever keep them at bay.