As online retail sales continue to increase each holiday season, an enormous amount of consumer personal information can potentially be accessed online. As a result, criminals can hack consumer information in a variety of ways, and if you aren’t careful, your personal information can be accessed easily without you even realizing it.
If you suspect that your personal information may have been compromised as a result of holiday shopping identity theft, contact Attorney Group to learn more. Individuals who were potentially affected by the data breach may be able to seek compensation with the help of a data breach lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Hundreds of millions of consumers in the United States shop during the holiday season, primarily between Black Friday and New Year’s Day each year. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), “a record 189.6 million U.S. consumers shopped from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday” in 2019, amounting to a 14 percent increase from 2018. While many consumers chose to shop more traditionally (in-store), over 140 million Americans shopped exclusively online.
Consider the following strategies this holiday season to stay safe online and protect your personal information from malicious activity:
Consider Using Credit Cards Instead of Debit Cards
In general, credit cards offer stronger protections against fraud, since credit card companies typically offer monitoring services to track suspicious activity. In some cases, credit card companies may be able to put a stop to fraudulent charges before they occur. If a criminal is able to use your debit card, your bank account balance can get wiped out, and it could take you a long time to get your money back.
Only Use Legitimate Websites When Shopping Online
If you are unfamiliar with a particular website or online service, don’t share your personal information. Look for websites that have a verification lock beside the URL. If you’re even slightly unsure about a site, or if the website looks suspicious, leave immediately so hackers don’t have a chance to access your information. In some cases, you might consider clearing your web browser’s history or cache to avoid any future attempts at your information.
Watch Out for Phishing Attempts and Other Email Scams
Don’t be tricked into clicking on a fraudulent link or email attachment. Likewise, be mindful not to give out sensitive information to an unfamiliar person or website. If you think an email looks suspicious, especially if it’s asking you to provide your bank account or other personal information, don’t open it and delete it. If you receive an email from a familiar address but the contents look unfamiliar, don’t respond. Contact the sender to find out firsthand.
Consumers Affected by Holiday Shopping Identity Theft May Be Entitled to Compensation
Individuals affected by identity theft can possibly face serious problems. When consumer financial information is wrongfully accessed, victims are often required to pay fees for monitoring their credit to ensure their credit score isn’t negatively impacted from the violation. In addition, those affected by identity theft could become a victim of identity fraud and may have to pay to receive a credit report to check on fraudulent charges.
Victims of identity theft may also be entitled to receive compensation for any personal information that may have been compromised. As a result, the responsible party may be liable for financial losses. If you have had your identity stolen or have been a victim of identity fraud, you might consider seeking legal counsel from an attorney specializing in identity theft for more information about your rights and remedies.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
