Take Charge

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State LawsMany states have passed laws making identity theft a crime or providing helpin recovery from identity theft; others are considering such legislation. Wherespecific criminal identity theft laws do not exist, the practices may be prohibitedunder other laws. Contact your state Attorney General (for a list of state offices,visit www.naag.org) or local consumer protection agency for laws related toidentity theft, or visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft.36 Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft
Instructions for Completing theID Theft AffidavitTo make certain that you do not become responsible for any debts incurredby an identity thief, you must prove to each of the companies where accountswere opened in your name that you didn’t create the debt. The ID Theft Affidavitwas developed by a group of credit grantors, consumer advocates, and attorneysat the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for this purpose. Importantly,this affidavit is only for use where a new account was opened in your name. Ifsomeone made unauthorized charges to an existing account,call the company for instructions.While many companies accept this affidavit, others require that you submitmore or different forms. Before you send the affidavit, contact each companyto find out if they accept it. If they do not accept the ID Theft Affidavit, askthem what information and/or documentation they require.You may not need the ID Theft Affidavit to absolve you of debt resulting fromidentity theft if you obtain an Identity Theft Report. We suggest you considerobtaining an Identity Theft Report where a new account was opened in yourname. An Identity Theft Report can be used to (1) permanently block fraudulentinformation from appearing on your credit report; (2) ensure that debtsdo not reappear on your credit reports; (3) prevent a company from continuingto collect debts or selling the debt to others for collection; and(4) obtain an extended fraud alert.The ID Theft Affidavit may be required by a company in order for you to obtainapplications or other transaction records related to the theft of your identity.These records may help you prove that you are a victim. For example, youmay be able to show that the signature on an application is not yours. Thesedocuments also may contain information about the identity thief that is valuableto law enforcement.This affidavit has two parts:• Part One — the ID Theft Affidavit — is where you report general informationabout yourself and the theft.• Part Two — the Fraudulent Account Statement — is where you describe thefraudulent account(s) opened in your name. Use a separate Fraudulent AccountStatement for each company you need to write to.When you send the affidavit to the companies, attach copies (NOT originals)of any supporting documents (for example, driver’s license or police report).Before submitting your affidavit, review the disputed account(s) with familymembers or friends who may have information about the account(s) or accessto them.Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft 37
Page 1: Take Charge:Fighting Back Against I
Page 5 and 6: IntroductionIn the course of a busy
Page 7 and 8: • They may get your credit report
Page 9 and 10: Identity Theft Victims:Immediate St
Page 11 and 12: 2. Close the accounts that you know
Page 13 and 14: You can file a complaint online at
Page 15 and 16: CHART YOUR COURSE OF ACTIONUse this
Page 17 and 18: Fraudulent Electronic WithdrawalsTh
Page 19 and 20: • Dispute any bad checks passed i
Page 21 and 22: Bankruptcy FraudU. S. Trustee (UST)
Page 23 and 24: Information Provider ObligationsInf
Page 25 and 26: photograph you, and make a copies o
Page 27 and 28: Mail TheftU.S. Postal Inspection Se
Page 29 and 30: If you suspect or know of an indivi
Page 31 and 32: staying alertOnce resolved, most ca
Page 33 and 34: To buy a copy of your report, conta
Page 35 and 36: information. Find out who has acces
Page 37 and 38: The Doors and Windows Are Locked, B
Page 39: APPENDIXIt’s The LawFederal LawTh
Page 43 and 44: and include copies (NOT originals)
Page 45 and 46: Name ______________________________
Page 47 and 48: Name ______________________________
Page 50 and 51: the FTC’s Privacy PolicyWhen you
Page 52: 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338)ftc.

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