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118 Capitol Street, Suite 400, Charleston, West Virginia 25301

Charleston WV Consumer Privacy Attorneys

West Virginia rights violation lawyers fight the misuse of your confidential information

Although you expect only the people and companies you designate will have access to your personal data, it may be vulnerable to hackers and others seeking to use it for their own advantage. Your private information can be obtained from a variety of sources, such as your commercial transactions, credit applications and social media accounts. The West Virginia privacy violations attorneys of The Giatras Law Firm, PLLC are committed to quick and decisive action to limit your losses and to recover money damages whenever possible.

How your private information is used

Your private data is a valuable commodity for advertisers seeking to target a specialized audience. However, it can also be used for criminal purposes, such as accessing your bank account, defrauding you or stealing your identity. Even accidental lapses in security can cause your personal data to be compromised, making it available to unpredictable users. 

Types of consumer privacy violations and how they happen

Your privacy may be at risk of violation in a number of ways, such as:

  • Data breaches, which result when information is not adequately protected from accidental leaks or intentional invasions
  • Hacking, when a computer is accessed by someone without authorization
  • Identity theft, which is the unauthorized use of your information to impersonate you or to create a false identity
  • Eavesdropping, which occurs when someone listens in on your private communications without your consent
  • Misuse of your data by a company or individual to whom you entrust it, either directly or by selling it to others.

Very often, privacy is violated due to a combination of poor data security and the actions of those who know how to exploit the vulnerability.

Why consumer privacy violations are increasing

Widespread use of the internet for consumer transactions has contributed to a rise in privacy violations. Whether you are purchasing goods online, sending emails or interacting with websites, you run the risk of others gaining access to your confidential information. The social distancing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has increased people’s reliance on the internet. Even if you have effective protection against internet risks, many of the people and companies you deal with may store credit card and other private information you give them in internet-accessible computers with inadequate safeguards. We are well aware of how technology increases the risk to everyone’s privacy and work to protect our clients from the problems it causes.

What laws protect consumer privacy?

There are numerous federal statutes that are intended to shield consumer data from improper access and use. They include the following:

  • The Breach of Security of Consumer Information Law requires companies to notify consumers of any data breach.
  • The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects the privacy and accuracy of your credit report.
  • The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires financial institutions to protect their customers’ data.
  • The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) protect the privacy of health records.

We make us of these and other legal protections to fight for our clients. We work creatively to build cases to limit your losses and hold the culpable parties liable.

Contact respected Charleston, WV consumer privacy attorneys for a free initial consultation

The Charleston, WV consumer protection lawyers at The Giatras Law Firm, PLLC are experienced in pursuing strategies to hold parties liable for violating your right to keep your information private. To schedule a free initial consultation with our team, call 888-819-1281 or contact us online.