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Proving you are an Identity Theft Victim
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- The ID Theft Affidavit: Since you didn’t open the accounts in dispute or
run up the related debts, of course you don’t have any paperwork showing you didn’t
do these things. That’s where the ID Theft Affidavit can be very helpful. The FTC,
in conjunction with banks, credit grantors and consumer advocates, developed the
ID Theft Affidavit (available at www.aafcu.com, or at any AAFCU branch location)
to help you close unauthorized accounts and get rid of debts wrongfully attributed
to your name. If you don’t have a police report or any paperwork from creditors,
send the completed ID Theft Affidavit to the three major credit bureaus. They will
use it to start the dispute investigation process. Not all companies accept the
ID Theft Affidavit. They may require you to use their forms instead. Check first.
You can download a copy fo the ID Theft Affidavit by clicking here or by visiting the
Federal
Trade Commission.
- Creditor Documentation: Getting documentation from a creditor may be difficult.
Creditors’ policies on confidentiality and record keeping vary and may prevent you
from getting the paperwork you need to prove you didn’t make the transaction. On
the upside, most victims can get accounts closed and debts dismissed by completing
the creditor’s fraud paperwork or the ID Theft Affidavit and including a copy of
your police report. Insist on a letter from the creditor stating that they have
closed the disputed accounts and have discharged you of the fraudulent debts. This
letter is your best defense if errors reappear or your personal information gets
re-circulated. This letter is also the best document to give credit bureaus and
debt collectors if your police report and ID Theft Affidavit aren’t enough to resolve
your problems with them.
- Contact the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline by telephone: Toll-Free 1-877-IDTHEFT
(438-4330)
TDD: 202-326-2502
By Postal Mail:
Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580
Online:
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
Although the FTC does not have the authority to bring criminal cases, the Commission
can help victims of identity theft by providing information to assist them in resolving
the financial and other problems that can result from this crime.
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