Nebraska Theft

You have limited liability for fraudulent debts caused by identity theft. Under most state laws, you're not responsible for any debt incurred on fraudulent new accounts opened in your name without your permission. Under federal law, the amount you have to pay for unauthorized use of your credit card is limited to $50.

About 15% of people have experienced identity fraud. Identity theft costs an average of $1,343 for victims who experienced a momentary loss. While some of these losses may be recuperated through financial institutions, some may remain out-of-pocket.

The effects of identity theft can last anywhere between a few days and several years, depending on the type of theft and how quickly you notice and address it. Identity thieves can gain access to your information in any number of ways.

On average, it can take between 100 and 200 hours and six months to fix. But in some cases, it can take thousands of hours and years to resolve fully. Several key factors determine the length of the recovery process, but before we review those, let's look at the steps involved in resolving identity theft.

A conviction for an identity theft crime can result in time spent in jail or prison. In general, a conviction for a misdemeanor offense can lead to up to a year in jail, while felony sentences can result in several years or more in prison.

File a claim with your identity theft insurance, if applicable. Notify companies of your stolen identity. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission. Contact your local police department. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Freeze your credit. Sign up for a credit monitoring service, if offered.

Identity (ID) theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud. The identity thief may use your information to apply for credit, file taxes, or get medical services. These acts can damage your credit status, and cost you time and money to restore your good name.

Contact the company or bank where the breach occurred. Closing down the affected account to avoid any more fraudulent activity should be the first thing you do. File a Complaint and Affidavit with the Federal Trade Commission. Review all your accounts and change your passwords.

A credit freeze (also known as a security freeze) restricts access to your credit reports, helping safeguard against fraudsters opening new accounts in your name, but a credit freeze may not stop misuse of your existing accounts or some other types of identity theft.