Amazon just paid a record FTC penalty for hiding fraud records from identity-theft victims. The law it broke gives you a right you can use today.
If a loan was taken out in your name without your permission, FCRA § 605B gives you the legal right to block it from your credit report. Here is the step-by-step process — including what to do when the person who did this is someone you know.
A deleted credit account can reappear because removing it from your file doesn’t fix the furnisher’s data system. Here’s why it happens and how to stop it for good — including FCRA § 605B for identity theft.
Quick Answer: Student loan identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s information to fraudulently obtain loans, as in this case where a mother took out $32,000 in her daughter’s name. The only legal remedy is filing a police report for identity theft, though victims are often reluctant to pursue criminal charges against family members.Question:Dear …
Quick Answer: When a daughter forges a parent’s signature on credit cards, the parent can avoid liability by filing a police report for identity theft and following the process at IdentityTheft.gov. Without reporting the fraud, the parent remains legally responsible for the debt even if the daughter files bankruptcy.Question:Dear Steve,My daughter signed up for two …
Quick Answer: Family members who misuse student loan funds and then demand repayment create both financial and legal complications that rarely resolve through simple requests to “drop it.” This situation involves approximately $30,000 in misappropriated Parent Plus loan funds and subsequent financial abuse, requiring legal consultation rather than family negotiation.Question:Dear Steve,I graduated from college in …
Quick Answer: The ex-wife’s student loan fraud is illegal identity theft, but the borrower remains legally responsible for repayment until filing criminal charges or successfully pursuing civil action. Without legal action, the fraudulent loans will continue blocking future educational enrollment and damaging credit.Question:Dear Steve,Ex-wife took out a student loan in my name without my knowledge. …
Quick Answer: Unauthorized credit inquiries from familiar persons like spouses constitute identity theft, even when the applications are authentic but fraudulent. TransUnion recommends calling their fraud line at 800-680-7289 to place alerts, but removing inquiries ultimately depends on the bureau’s discretion and may require filing a police report.Question:Dear Steve,My husband filled out several car loans …
Quick Answer: A parent fraudulently signed their children’s names on six-figure private student loans, and while loan irregularities might create discharge opportunities, the identity theft represents a serious legal violation. The situation has caused severe mental health impacts on the children, and addressing both the fraudulent signatures and improper loan processing procedures would be necessary …
Quick Answer: A student whose father misused $15,000 in student loans meant for college expenses has limited legal recourse since the loans are in their name. The borrower remains legally responsible for repayment starting January 2017, but may qualify for income-driven repayment plans or should consult a consumer protection attorney about potential fraud claims.Question:Dear Steve,When …
Did this conversation help?
Thank you. I'm glad you reached out.
You took an important step today. Come back any time.
Think of this as me — just in AI form. I've walked in your shoes. I filed bankruptcy myself in 1990, and in over 30 years of experience I haven't seen a situation that can't be worked through or a person who deserves judgment. Everything here is built on that experience, that research, and genuine care for you. I can't be there in person. But I can be here.
Conversations are saved anonymously. Personal details are automatically removed before storage. This is an AI — not a financial advisor, attorney, or therapist.
Not sure where to start?
Been here before?
