The Emotional Impact of Identity Theft
Identity theft impacts a lot more than just an individual’s wallet. The endless letter writing, waiting on hold to speak to the right individuals, endless hours fighting with creditors, and the time it takes to just report the crime initially can take a toll on just about anyone. Here we discuss some of those emotions and how to prepare for them.
Discovery
When you first discover you are a victim of identity theft, it is an emotional roller coaster. Many people can fall into denial or even become enraged at the thought. The overwhelming effects of all of the emotions a person suffers can create long-term damage. No matter whom you are, no one is prepared to fall victim to identity theft. Most of us go through daily life assuming it will never happen to us. This is why it is important to know about identity theft so that if it does happen to you, you are well-aware of the process and how to recover.
The Healing Process
The healing process does not just apply to fixing your credit, but healing your emotions after such an ordeal. A lot of consumers will go through feelings of embarrassment, shame, feel isolated, etc. This is why it is important to have family and friends there to support you when you are down. If you are a family member or friend of a current victim, it is completely normal to see them go through personality and emotional changes. Identity theft certainly can take its toll, but the effects are usually temporary.
Feeling Powerless
Often a victim will feel powerless against identity theft. In order to keep on track, try to stay organized with your recovery process. The more unorganized an individual is with things such as paperwork or logs, the more powerless they can feel. Even though the process of recovery can take up a lot of your time, do not let it consume your time. Be sure to take time for yourself and schedule time for the recovery process. Often people will forget they have lives outside of their identity theft recovery, but by still keeping up with the rest of your life, you will feel less isolated. For each milestone that is passed, consider it a positive note. Something as simple as filing all the needed reports can be considered a milestone. Consider each step through the process a positive one, even if the process is not entirely over.
Things to Remember
Though the recovery process can feel rather painful, just remember that you are innocent here. You were victimized. It can be easier to blame yourself when there is no physical person around to blame, but always remember that it is not your fault. A consumer can only do so much to protect themselves against identity theft and often those who go above and beyond still find themselves victims.