In yet another example of the carelessness of the Credit Reporting Agencies (CRA’s), Vietnamese Americans have an increased risk of reporting errors because they don’t have that many names to go around.
Many Vietnamese Americans share the same family and middle names, which can lead to confusion and errors in official records.
Identity theft and background report errors are major issues that affect many people in the United States, but Vietnamese Americans are particularly vulnerable due to the similarity of their names. In this article, we will explore the impact of these issues on the Vietnamese American community and highlight some steps they can take to protect themselves.
The Problem of Similar Names
Vietnamese names are complex and typically consist of three parts: the family name (which comes first), a middle name, and a given name. Many Vietnamese Americans share the same family and middle names, which can lead to confusion and errors in official records. This can have serious consequences, as identity theft and background check errors can affect a person's credit score, employment opportunities, and even their ability to travel.
Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when someone steals another person's personal information, such as their Social Security number, date of birth, or credit card number, and uses it to commit fraud or other crimes. Vietnamese Americans with similar names are particularly vulnerable to this type of crime, as a thief can easily assume another person's identity by using their name and other identifying information. Any population with a large number of people with the same name is an easier target for ID-related crimes, and data mistakes and mix-ups are more common for them as well.
To protect against identity theft, Vietnamese Americans should take steps to secure their personal information. This can include shredding documents that contain sensitive information, using strong passwords on online accounts, and checking their credit report regularly for any signs of fraud.
Background Report Errors
Background reports are often used by employers, landlords, and others to check a person's criminal history, credit score, and other information. However, when two people with similar names exist, there is a risk of confusion and errors in these reports. This can lead to false information being attributed to the wrong person, causing significant harm to their reputation and prospects.
To prevent background report errors, Vietnamese Americans should take steps to differentiate themselves from others with similar names. This can include using their full name on official documents, providing additional identifying information when filling out forms, and double-checking the accuracy of their personal information in official records.
Legal Action
In some cases, Vietnamese Americans may need to take legal action to correct errors in their personal information or protect themselves against identity theft. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, but Vietnamese Americans should seek legal advice if they suspect that their personal information has been compromised.
Conclusion
Here at Consumer Attorneys, we’ve seen this happen with all kinds of nationalities, but it appears that the Vietnamese community is at even greater risk of suffering from credit and background mistakes or identity theft. We’ve represented all kinds of people, and we will continue to fight the overly simplistic and sloppy practices of credit and background reporting agencies and make them pay for their heinous mistakes.
