Contact Us

Phone:
505-255-KOHL or
505-553-1517

Email:

karole@karolekohllaw.com

Before emailing, faxing documents or providing any information on your case please read this Disclaimer.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is the use of personal identifying information to commit a form of fraud and is a stand alone crime.   Even if you don’t use a computer or telephone to conduct business, thieves can still obtain your personal information.  Thieves obtain your personal information by digging through trash, gathering information through the internet, asking you for more information on the internet by telling you that you won the lottery and gathering additional personal information from you, or by stealing your mail, wallet, purse, debit or credit card(s).  Sadly, sometimes it is even your own family members who steal your identity due to substance abuse, mental illness, or financial hardship.  Yes, they may need help in solving their own problems, but meantime, it is important for you to protect yourself, your credit history, and your criminal records.   Studies have shown that the emotional impact of Identity Theft is parallel to that of violent crimes yet most agencies are still unemotional when dealing with your case. 

Thieves can drain your bank accounts, open credit cards and other accounts,  They could use your name to obtain a driver’s license, purchase a car or obtain other services and property in your name, and alarmingly, if they get caught in criminal activity.  Some cases of ID theft are connected to other serious crimes which may lead law enforcement to you for a crime that you did NOT commit.  When you find criminal charges on your record, you need an attorney to help you file the proper paperwork to get the criminal charges expunged.    

It is important to review your credit often.  You can obtain your free annual credit report from the three credit reporting bureaus:

1. Equifax

2. Experian

3. Transunion

If you find activity not actually belonging to you, it is necessary to place a fraud alert and security freeze on your credit line. 

I will properly advise you when you have discovered that you’ve been a victim of Identity Theft.  If you have been wrongly charged with a crime, contact me immediately because the quicker you act, the less likely you will be liable for fraudulent transactions and unauthorized charges.   If you need an Identity Repair kit, visit the New Mexico Attorney General’s web page at http://www.nmag.gov/.