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Identity Theft Victim Rights:
1. Right to Fraud Alerts: Anyone who believes that they've been a victim of identity theft has the right to request fraud alerts on their credit
report. This alert system offers future protection. The credit bureaus include a note on your credit report, which notifies potential creditors of
previously fraudulent activity. Before you or anyone else opens a credit account in your name, lenders have to perform a thorough identity check.
2. Right to Request a File Freeze: A file freeze denies creditors, employers, and insurance companies access to your credit file. Victims of
identity theft can request a file freeze by contacting one of the three credit bureaus. Freeze laws vary from state-by-state. And some states require a fee and specific documentations.
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Although this action
serves as a protection and stops thieves from opening fraudulent accounts, it also prevents victims from opening new accounts in their own name.
3. Right to Free Copies of Credit Report: Every victim of identity theft has the right to obtain free copies of their credit report. You can request
reports from each of the three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax.
4. Right to Not Be Liable for Fraudulent Activity: Creditors and financial institutions do not hold identity theft victims responsible for fraudulent
charges.
5. Right to Acquire Records Related to Fraud: Fraudulent accounts can fall into the hands of debt collection agencies. However, identity theft
victims aren't responsible for the debt. And by law, debt collection agencies have to provide victims with the name of the previous creditor and the debt
owed.
6. Right to Have Fraudulent Accounts Removed from Credit Report: If a fraudulent record appears on your credit report, you have the right to
request removal of such records. You'll have to write and send a dispute letter to each of the individual credit bureaus. Provide case details and submit
a copy of the police report.
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