Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Identity Theft legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
California Identity Theft Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Antitrust and Identity Theft for California on
Q: Can I sue a company for a data breach?

Can I sue a company for a data breach?

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 22, 2024

Under California law, you may have grounds to sue a company for a data breach, especially if negligence played a role in the breach and if you suffered harm as a result. California's data breach laws require companies to protect personal information and promptly notify affected individuals of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Identity Theft and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: What should I do if a company gave my completed application to a new applicant with my family's ss#s, names, everything?

I was contacted on Facebook messenger from a random woman telling me, my completed application was sent to her via email, when she was expecting a blank one.

She shared a screenshot showing she informed the apartment manager that she sent her the wrong app and then was sent a correct blank... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 21, 2024

Under California law, your situation constitutes a serious breach of privacy, specifically relating to personal and sensitive information. You have rights under state law to protect your personal information. The first step you should take is to document everything: the communication with the woman... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Civil Litigation, Contracts, Estate Planning and Identity Theft for California on
Q: I think my family and my husbands family forged tricked me and my husband forged and altered documents what can I do?

we keep having bank issues and we went to a bank and my father in law knew the bank employee and we found accounts opened illegally and are signatures forged them my brother said he worked fkr triple A bit its an interexchange insurance agency and they altered and misrepresented what tyoe of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 2, 2024

Under California law, if you suspect fraudulent activity, such as forged documents, identity theft, and unauthorized opening of accounts or businesses in your name, taking immediate action is crucial. First, consider contacting a legal professional with experience in fraud or financial crimes. They... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Identity Theft and Probate for California on
Q: Fraud on deceased mom's account. How to establish designated person to handle fraud with bank.

Under California law, we are able to do a simplified transfer of assets for my mom's bank accounts, without the need to go through probate court. We found out that there are fraud charges on her account after the date of her death. The bank is requesting any of these documents to start a... View More

Julie King
Julie King
answered on Feb 2, 2024

The answer to your question depends on the dollar value of all your mom’s assets. Look only at the assets, not the debts (such as a mortgage, credit card debt, taxes owed, etc.). If the dollar value of all your mom’s assets — meaning what price would she get if she sold everything on the open... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Identity Theft and Probate for California on
Q: Fraud on deceased mom's account. How to establish designated person to handle fraud with bank.

Under California law, we are able to do a simplified transfer of assets for my mom's bank accounts, without the need to go through probate court. We found out that there are fraud charges on her account after the date of her death. The bank is requesting any of these documents to start a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 2, 2024

In California, if you wish to handle fraud on your deceased mother's bank account without going through probate court, you can explore a few options. First, check if your mother had a payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) designation on her bank account. If so, you might be able to... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Rights, Collections and Identity Theft for California on
Q: Unlawful Pawnshop Release and Forgery - Northern California

Discovered mom forged my signature, pawn shop released jewelry to sister's boyfriend. No proper identity verification. Mother's false domestic abuse story hinders retrieval. She sent me a photo with the jewelry. Surveillance footage shows her handing it over when I pawned it. Manager... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 17, 2024

In your situation, several legal issues arise under California law, including forgery, identity theft, and potential liability of the pawnshop. California Penal Code sections 470-483.5 address forgery and identity theft. If someone forges your signature without authorization, it's considered a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Identity Theft and Internet Law for California on
Q: About 10 years ago I open two Facebook pages for strangers ..they took control over my account and now I'm in danger

They have my Facebook account.so they could be doing illegal things on it. I saw an add on craigslist under work from home I was trying to work from home so it was an opportunity to make money. Although I only made 25 dollars. One time payment

Those two men might be working for the same... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 12, 2024

If someone has taken control of your Facebook account and is potentially conducting illegal activities, it's important to take immediate action. First, try to regain control of your account by using Facebook's account recovery options. This may involve resetting your password or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Business Law and Identity Theft for California on
Q: FedEx made a phony pick up form with a forged signature claiming I p/u that lost package I paid $1366.56 USD for

Paid $1366.56 for a brand new made in Japan wire harness for my vehicle. FedEx lost the package, in an effort to cover up the loss manufactured a phony p/u form claiming I picked up the item from one of their locations. In fact FedEx delivered it to a wrong address and upon my asking realized what... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 2, 2024

In a situation where FedEx has allegedly forged a signature and misrepresented the delivery status of a package, it is important to gather all evidence, including the phony pick-up form, FedEx's tracking information, and any communication with FedEx and the eBay seller. Documentation of the... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Identity Theft for California on
Q: I need help with proving my dead parents info is being used. They both passed away in 2005 but just recently Forgery
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 21, 2023

To address the issue of suspected forgery using your deceased parents' information, you should first gather any evidence of the fraudulent activity. This may include documents, financial statements, or correspondence that indicates their information is being used.

Next, it's...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Identity Theft for California on
Q: I need help with proving my dead parents info is being used. They both passed away in 2005 but just recently Forgery
Yelena Gurevich
Yelena Gurevich
answered on Dec 21, 2023

Help proving something usually means you don't have all the evidence and need to hire someone that can investigate and gather the evidence. This is usually not a lawyer, but rather a private investigator or expert.

If you have the evidence and you are injured somehow by your...
View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Identity Theft and Land Use & Zoning for California on
Q: can schools gather car information such as insurance, registration and drivers license for a parking permit

The public high school wants to get out car information for us to park in there student parking lot.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 18, 2023

In California, public high schools often have policies requiring students to provide certain car information, such as insurance, registration, and driver's license details, to obtain a parking permit. This practice is typically part of the school's efforts to ensure safety and proper... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Identity Theft and Employment Law for California on
Q: What happens if a company I'm not related to is running a background check without my consent?

6 months ago I was going to start working for a company but I turn down the offer. They have my ssn, full name and address. And 6 months later they are running me a background check.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 17, 2023

In California, it's generally required for employers to obtain consent before conducting a background check on a job applicant. If a company is running a background check on you without your consent, especially after you have declined a job offer, this could be a violation of your privacy... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law, Identity Theft, Copyright, Consumer Law and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: How to recover a hacked TikTok account and protect identity after notifying TikTok and filing a police report in California?

I am dealing with a situation where someone hacked my TikTok account, altering my email address, phone number, and screen name, while my personal content remains intact. Despite notifying TikTok, their response indicated no violation. I've reached out to their legal team, filed a police... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 27, 2025

You're facing a frustrating situation with your hacked TikTok account. For the DMCA takedown, you'll need to contact TikTok's designated agent through their official DMCA form or by reaching their registered agent listed in the U.S. Copyright Office directory. Their current agent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Health Care Law and Identity Theft for California on
Q: FCA statutes in CA for hospice fraud referral

I'm seeking information on the FCA statutes in California related to hospice fraud, specifically regarding a fraudulent referral to hospice. The referral occurred within the FCA's five to ten-year statute limitations, and no legal action has been filed yet. The referral was conducted... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 16, 2025

In California, the False Claims Act (FCA), codified under California Government Code Sections 12650–12656, applies to cases involving fraudulent hospice referrals. Specifically, unauthorized disclosure of hospitalization records used to make fraudulent referrals could constitute violations under... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Employment Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Identity Theft for California on
Q: Is it legal for a third-party to demand sensitive info for a job?

I have been a tow truck driver for a company with a AAA contract for about 25 years with no issues. A new requirement was recently introduced where a third-party company is performing an extensive background check. This includes requesting sensitive information like bank account numbers, social... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 9, 2025

In California, employers and third-party companies conducting background checks must adhere to specific privacy and notice requirements. While employers can legally request certain sensitive information like social security numbers for legitimate background checks, they must provide you with clear,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft and Civil Rights for California on
Q: Can I sue DOGE for unauthorized access to my Social Security number?

I am concerned that DOGE has gained unauthorized access to my Social Security number. DOGE is not an authorized federal agency, and I have not yet reported this because I am uncertain about the legalities involved. I discovered this situation but have taken no specific steps to secure my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 5, 2025

You may have legal grounds to sue DOGE for unauthorized access to your Social Security number, depending on several factors. The unauthorized access to personally identifiable information like your SSN could potentially violate federal laws such as the Privacy Act of 1974 or various state privacy... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft and Gaming for California on
Q: Received a 1099 from ARB Gaming without prior dealings. What to do?

I received a 1099 form from ARB Gaming, but I have never dealt with this company. I haven't contacted ARB Gaming about this issue yet, but I am trying to check for any unauthorized activity involving my personal information. What should I do next, and is there a class action lawsuit regarding... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 28, 2025

Receiving a 1099 from a company you've never done business with is definitely concerning and could indicate identity theft. Your first step should be to contact ARB Gaming directly using the information on the 1099 form to dispute the document and ask for details about the reported income. You... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Identity Theft, Internet Law and White Collar Crime for California on
Q: Credit card fraud from online Google Wallet scam

I was the victim of credit card fraud after my Google Wallet information was taken, and I noticed the fraudulent purchases as they were occurring. I was scammed online and would like to know what legal steps I can take to recover my lost funds and possibly press charges against the scammer.... View More

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Feb 26, 2025

https://oag.ca.gov/idtheft/facts/victim-checklist

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Consumer Law and Identity Theft for California on
Q: Mailbox provider's error led to unauthorized charges; need mail forwarded.

In December 2022, I paid the rent for a private mailbox I've had for 4 years. However, the mailbox provider claimed I didn't pay, preventing me from accessing my mail. After months of disputes and showing them receipts, they admitted their mistake and offered to forward my mail. I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 22, 2025

Your situation with the mailbox provider is quite serious, as their errors have led to potential identity theft and financial harm. You should immediately file detailed complaints with both the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and your state's Attorney General's office, documenting the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Identity Theft for California on
Q: Brother got citation in my name for drugs and false ID, how to fix?

My brother received a citation in my name for possession of dangerous drugs and providing false identification to a peace officer. I have the actual ticket, and the only error on it is my name. The court date is set for April 26, 2025. I've contacted the authorities, and they advised me to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 17, 2025

Your situation is serious since identity theft can have lasting consequences on your record and future opportunities. Filing a police report right away, as advised by the authorities, is the crucial first step to document that you're the victim of false identification.

You should...
View More

Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.