Fort Lauderdale Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud Lawyer

A growing topic of conversation amongst consumers, identity theft has become a very serious reality for many across central Florida. In Fort Lauderdale and beyond, a growing number of individuals have had their credit card information and identities stolen in illegal attempts to rob people of their hard-earned money.

Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. is a Florida consumer law firm that stands against these illegal actions, defending consumers by representing them in a court of law. Our team of passionate and dedicated Fort Lauderdale identity theft and credit card fraud lawyers will do whatever it takes to ensure your protection.

Fort Lauderdale Identity Theft & Credit Card Fraud Lawyer

Protect your identity and financial future. Speak with an experienced fraud attorney today.

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Why Choose Sharmin & Sharmin for Your Fort Lauderdale Identity Theft Case?

Sharmin & Sharmin does whatever is necessary to protect you and your loved ones from identity theft in Fort Lauderdale. As a leading firm in this practice area, our culture and craft surrounding identity theft law has restored the financial integrity of hundreds of residents across the state of Florida.

• Our team leverages the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other pieces of federal legislation to ensure that any unlawful damage to your credit report is erased.
• Sharmin & Sharmin does not charge monthly fees to repair credit as do many other law firms. 
• Our team is steadfast and works tirelessly to let you know if you have a case within 24 hours – no office visit required.

Common Ways Credit Card Fraud Happens

Credit card fraud can happen in many ways. Sometimes a thief steals the card itself. Other times, the victim still has the card and has no idea the account information has been taken. Common examples include:

• Card skimming: A device placed on an ATM, gas pump, or payment machine may copy information from a card.
• Phishing scams: Fake emails or text messages may look like they came from a bank and ask for account information or passwords.
• Stolen mail: A thief may take a new credit card, statement, or other financial document from a mailbox.
• Data breaches: Criminals may steal customer information after gaining access to the computer system of a business or other organization.

Fraud may also happen when someone uses stolen personal information to open an entirely new credit card account in another person’s name.

The State of Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud in Central Florida

Florida identity theft and credit card fraud in Fort Lauderdale are common occurrences more and more across the state of Florida. Broadly speaking, identity theft is using someone else’s personal information to perform various actions within existing financial institutions. This may be opening up a bank account, taking out loans, or using a credit card that is attached to someone else’s social security number and name so as to avoid financial responsibility 

• There was annually 159,555 identity theft reports in FL in 2025.
• Before the 2020 COVID pandemic, the rate of identity theft in the Sunshine State has almost tripled.
• Florida is one of the worst states for identity theft in the nation.

There are a number of reasons that identity theft has such an impact on Florida. A large number of metropolitan areas in conjunction with one of the largest state populations makes it an easy target. With a healthy mixture of new families, young professionals, and retirees, fraudsters have been targeting Florida on a regular basis. 

One particularly bad situation that many in central Florida have had to face is credit card fraud. A subcategory of Fort Lauderdale identity theft, credit card fraud occurs when a purchase with the use of a credit card in someone else’s name occurs. A credit card could have been opened in someone’s name or the numbers simply written down by an unfaithful waiter, this offense could result in thousands of dollars in purchases that do not necessarily belong to the person whose name is on the card.

It is always recommended by legal experts across the country to reach out to attorneys as soon as possible after experiencing credit card fraud. While you will eventually have to reach out to your financial institutions and dig through your accounts, attorneys will be able to aid you in these processes.

What to Do After Discovering Credit Card Fraud

If you find a charge or account you do not recognize, taking action quickly may help keep the problem from growing. Contact the bank or credit card company connected to the account and report the fraud. The company may close the card, issue a new account number, or take other steps to stop more charges.

You should also review your credit reports for accounts, balances, or late payments that do not belong to you. If you are worried that someone may try to open new accounts in your name, you can place a credit freeze with the major credit bureaus.

You may also report identity theft through the Federal Trade Commission. Keep copies of reports, bank statements, emails, dispute letters, and other documents connected to the fraud to help show what happened and what you did to correct it.

Credit Card Fraud Can Cause Credit Report Errors

An unauthorized purchase does not always damage a credit report. However, the problem can become more serious when a thief opens an account using your personal information.

The fraudulent account may appear on your credit report. If payments are missed, the account could be reported as late or sent to collections. You might not discover the problem until applying for a car loan, mortgage, apartment, or another credit card.

You can dispute information on your credit reports that you believe is inaccurate. Keeping copies of the dispute and the response can be important if the account continues to appear after reporting the problem.

When Incorrect Information Comes Back

Sometimes an account is removed but later appears again. In other cases, a credit bureau or company may continue reporting information that you have already disputed.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act provides protections for consumers dealing with inaccurate credit information. An attorney can review the dispute history, credit reports, and responses from the companies involved to determine whether they followed federal law.

What if a Debt Collector Contacts You?

Identity theft can also lead to collection letters or phone calls for debts you never created. Do not assume that you must pay a debt simply because a collection company says it belongs to you.

Keep any letters or emails you receive and review them carefully. If the debt resulted from identity theft, those records may help connect the collection account to the fraudulent activity.

Federal law also places limits on how debt collectors may communicate with you. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors generally cannot harass you, make false statements, or threaten actions they cannot legally take when trying to collect a debt.

Fort Lauderdale Fraud Attorney Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Our Sharmin & Sharmin Fort Lauderdale Identity Theft Attorney Today

Fort Lauderdale identity theft lawyers from Sharmin & Sharmin are dedicated to the craft of protecting consumers. Our firm stands above the rest, offering services such as free virtual consultations and decades of litigation experience. As specialists in identity theft and Florida credit fraud attorney, you will have the peace of mind you need as you try to financially recover from the unlawful acts of criminals and fraudsters.

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Additional Resources

• What are your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act?
• A Complete Guide to Background Checks in Florida
• What To Do If You’ve Been a Victim of Scams or Fraud