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Q: How can I protect my son's identity and benefits while managing his mineral rights?

I filed for ancillary probate in Texas after my wife passed away intestate, adopting our minor son. He was named an heir, and I was appointed by the court as the administrator and custodian. We receive oil and gas royalties in Texas. Recently, I received a letter from the oil and gas company asking... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Identity Theft for Illinois on
Q: MoneyGram canceled my transaction, refund delayed. What can I do?

I live in Chicago, IL, and I sent $1000 through MoneyGram to my fiancée in the Philippines for condo rent. The payment is crucial and needs to be received by April 26th. However, MoneyGram canceled the transaction, disabled my profile, and mentioned a refund would occur within 10 days. Despite my... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Social Security, Civil Litigation, Identity Theft, Public Benefits and Consumer Law for Tennessee on
Q: How to retrieve personal documents withheld by mother in TN?

I am trying to obtain my Social Security card, birth certificate, and bonds from my grandparents that are being withheld by my mother. She is currently in and out of rehab and is refusing to give them to me despite my attempts to negotiate. I am also concerned that she might misuse my Social... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 15, 2025

If you really wish to sue Mother, file an Action To Recover Personal Property in the General Sessions Court of the County in which she resides.

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Kentucky on
Q: Arraignment delay after parole violation in Kentucky

I live in Kentucky, and my boyfriend was charged with shoplifting and identity theft in Pike County. He was released on bond but missed his original arraignment and was later picked up in Perry County on a parole violation warrant. He is now in Perry County jail, facing no charges there, but... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 13, 2025

He will have to wait until the pv detainer is released.

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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law, Identity Theft, Personal Injury and Consumer Law for Connecticut on
Q: How long does the Federal Government have to file charges in a federal immigration case involving identity theft, injury disclosure failure, and false payment claims?

I am involved in a federal immigration case where my employer allegedly committed identity theft between November and December 2023. There was also a failure to disclose a personal injury from a slip and fall at work. Additionally, the employer claimed I was being paid during a period when I was... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

In federal cases involving identity theft, the statute of limitations can vary depending on the specific charges. For identity theft, the federal government generally has up to five years from the date of discovery to file charges. If your employer’s actions involve false payment claims or other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Ohio on
Q: Seeking lawyer for bank refund on cashed fraud check in Ohio

I am trying to get a refund from my bank for a fraudulent check that was cashed 6 months ago. I informed the bank within 2 business days after the check was cashed. They say they’ve filed a claim with the bank where the check was deposited, but refuse to provide documentation or the location... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

This is an incredibly frustrating situation, especially since you acted quickly and followed the proper steps to report the fraud. Under federal banking regulations, banks are required to investigate and resolve fraud claims in a timely and transparent manner. If your bank is refusing to provide... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How to consult with a criminal defense attorney without hiring one?

I'm representing myself pro se in a criminal case involving identity theft and theft by deception, where a family member accuses me of opening a credit card without their permission. The case has been delayed since July 2024 due to prioritization of more serious trials. Multiple motions for... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

You're dealing with a lot, and trying to defend yourself while being shut out of discovery and court updates makes everything harder. The confusion with your standby counsel being listed as your attorney could be affecting your ability to stay informed. You have the right to be notified of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Internet Law and Identity Theft for Texas on
Q: How can I recover money lost in a cryptocurrency scam related to fake refund offers?

I am a victim of a cryptocurrency scam. I received an email claiming my bank was charged for Norton virus protection, which I never ordered. The scammers offered me a refund. I didn't provide personal information. How can I recover my money and address this scam?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

I’m really sorry you went through this—these scams are designed to be convincing, and many people fall victim to them. The fake Norton refund scam is a common tactic used to trick people into sending money or granting access to their accounts. Even if you didn’t share personal information,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Can a creditor use my personal info for unauthorized credit in WI?

I recently discovered that a creditor used my personal information to apply for an additional $30,000 in credit without my consent, after initially being denied. I've contacted the creditor and the dealership involved but have received no response. When I attempted to dispute the unauthorized... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

What you're describing is very serious and may involve both identity theft and credit fraud. In Wisconsin, a creditor or dealership cannot legally use your personal information to apply for credit without your explicit authorization. If they did so after your initial application was denied,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Identity Theft, Consumer Law and Employment Law for South Carolina on
Q: Do I have to pay for fraudulent utility accounts in my name in SC?

I recently discovered that multiple utility accounts were fraudulently opened in my name, resulting in my electricity being cut off. The energy company informed me over the phone that I must pay $4,900 within 24 hours, but I have no knowledge of who committed this fraud or how it happened. I... View More

D. Nathan Davis
D. Nathan Davis
answered on Apr 10, 2025

Welcome to the world that we live in now. Fraud is everywhere and the first step is to contact your local police department. After that, you need to contact the customer service at the electric company and talk with them. The power company is going to assume you are wrong and it is your job to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft, Social Security, Tax Law, Consumer Law and Public Benefits for Oregon on
Q: Seeking help for senior scammed into IRS debt

I work for a local non-profit and am trying to help a senior client who is susceptible to scams. During COVID, she was scammed into giving her personal information to someone who took out a fraudulent business loan in her name. Now, the IRS claims she owes $100,000 due to this fraud. She is living... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 7, 2025

I'm really sorry to hear about the challenges your client is facing. It’s important to know that there are resources available to help in situations like this. Since she’s been scammed, the first thing to do is file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Identity Theft and Consumer Law for North Carolina on
Q: Experienced unauthorized transfers on checking and credit card accounts; seeking restitution.

I have experienced unauthorized transfers involving my checking and credit card accounts, with six fraudulent transactions already adjusted and pending on my checking account. Despite reporting this issue to my bank on March 25, 2025, I have received no response. I've filed complaints with the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

It’s understandable how frustrating and stressful it can be to deal with unauthorized transactions, especially when you’ve already reported them to your bank and haven’t received any response. Since you’ve documented the transactions and reported them to the CFPB, you’re on the right... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft, Criminal Law and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Someone broke into my truck on March 1st and stole my passport. How can I protect my identity from being misused?

On March 1st, while picking up food for my daughter's mother, someone broke into my truck and stole my passport. I suspect the person responsible, whom I know, could use my identity, as he has been deported previously and is using a double identity for employment. After the break-in, I could... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 6, 2025

First, you should report your stolen passport to the U.S. Department of State as soon as possible. You can fill out Form DS-64 online or by mail to officially report it as lost or stolen. This prevents anyone from using it for travel or identification and flags it in government systems.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft, Banking, Tax Law and Consumer Law for New Hampshire on
Q: Someone used my SSN for taxes and credit cards; I reported it. What steps should I take now?

I discovered that someone has used my Social Security number for filing taxes and opening credit cards over the past few years. I've reported this identity theft to the authorities, but I'm unsure which bank accounts were involved. Unauthorized accounts and transactions have appeared on... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

First, you should request a credit freeze or fraud alert from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This will make it harder for the thief to open new accounts in your name. You should also review your credit report carefully, looking for any unauthorized accounts or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Legal Malpractice, Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Indiana on
Q: Found another person's sensitive info in documents scanned by bankruptcy attorney.

I recently discovered a document within my personal documents that were scanned by my bankruptcy attorney's office. The document contains another individual's personal information, including their birthdate and social security number. I haven't contacted the attorney's office... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 5, 2025

Return it to the attorneys office with your explanation as to how your received it and mention your concern about your privacy as well. Beyond that, you need do nothing else.

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Do I have a case for medical mistreatment and misidentification after a hospital visit in MA, November 2024?

In November 2024, I was brought to a hospital unconscious by ambulance after a slip and fall. At the hospital, my identity was mistakenly recorded, despite providing my legal name multiple times. My fractured left hip was initially missed in the x-ray, and I was left on a stretcher, ignored despite... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Apr 2, 2025

This is a question for a medical malpractice attorney. I think we are not supposed to give you actual names of attorneys but if you check the internet the big local firms will come up, Lubin & Meyer, Crowe & Haris, etc. Try one of them.

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Identity Theft, White Collar Crime and Criminal Law for New Jersey on
Q: How can I proceed legally after questionable job offer with financial transactions and lost bank access?

I was offered a job with Graceland Logistics, Inc for online chat support and provided a contract, which I received through Tik Tok. They requested personal and financial information, including my bank account details. Recently, they asked me to carry out transactions involving Apple Cash, bank... View More

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Apr 1, 2025

You are being scammed! No legitimate company does things that way. They also wanted you to Commit fraud and/or money laundering for them. Your desperation for a job is clouding your judgment. You should report this to the FBI.

Do not do something like this again! Not trying to be harsh,...
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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Contracts, Identity Theft, Real Estate Law and Consumer Law for California on
Q: How to safeguard lease agreements with tenants using different last names?

I am a landlord of a small family commercial retail space considering a potential tenant application. The applicant has two last names: one on state documents like their driver's license and US passport (which they claim is their birth last name), and another on years of IRS tax filings and... View More

Shawn R. Jackson
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answered on Apr 1, 2025

On the assumption that you want to bind "all" tenants and individuals occupying the space, you will want all names and any "aliases" that they may be using. One of several "focus points" you will want as the landlord in the lease, along with any personal guarantees ...... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Consumer Law and Identity Theft for Illinois on
Q: Unauthorized withdrawals by my niece using my information caused my bank account to be flagged. How can I resolve this?

I allowed my niece to use my information to make one withdrawal, but she used it to make multiple unauthorized withdrawals between March 3rd and 6th, totaling $13,000 over 40 transactions. I reported this to my bank, and their response was to freeze my account and label me as bad for business.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

First, contact your bank again and request to escalate the issue to a higher authority, explaining the situation in detail. Clearly state that while you allowed your niece to make a single withdrawal, you did not authorize the multiple subsequent transactions. Ask them to investigate the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Gov & Administrative Law, Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Montana on
Q: Is it illegal for jail staff to share inmate personal information with outsiders?

I'm concerned about a jailer who intentionally shares personal information about inmates and emails from the sheriff's office with people outside law enforcement. They shared details about my youngest being pulled over and about my husband being on probation. Is it illegal for jail staff,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 2, 2025

The disclosure of inmate personal information by correctional staff to outside individuals without legitimate purpose is generally prohibited under various privacy laws and institutional policies. Inmates retain certain privacy rights despite their incarceration, particularly regarding their... View More

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