If a criminal opens fraudulent accounts in your name, you'll need an identity theft affidavit to prove your innocence.
But why are affidavits required in cases of identity fraud? And how do you obtain one?
This blog explains what victims of identity theft need to know.
The IRS Identity theft form is for victims who endured tax-related identity theft
(For example: someone stole their Social Security Number (SSN) to file fraudulent tax returns).
If you or someone believes your finances are being used fraudulently, this is the form that should be filled out.
When the identity theft affidavit form is submitted, the IRS reviews and processes it.
In most scenarios, taxpayers don't have to fill this out.
((Note: If you receive a letter (such as Letter 5071C or Letter 4883C), follow the instructions on the letter instead of filling out Form 14039 for the IRS)).
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity theft affidavit is for victims of identity theft who are not related to tax-related fraudulent activity (This is a more general affidavit of identity form).
This can relate to any account that was opened in your name without your action.
The FTC form process is easy. All you do is fill out the Federal Trade Commission form online whenever you are aware that you are a victim.
You can check your credit report on sites like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Being vigilant and placing a fraud alert can help you catch fraud early.
An affidavit proves that the account is fraudulent, allowing for its quick removal from your credit history.
To obtain an affidavit, first report the identity theft with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) at IdentityTheft.gov → This can also be done through the IRS.
They provide a recovery plan with a pre-filled affidavit in your official report.
Some banks have their forms for legal statements, so make sure to use their specific version when reporting fraud.
Affidavits alone have no legal weight under federal law.
Notarization gives them validity with creditors.
Companies can disregard affidavits without it, and they may not correct disputed accounts.
Notarization legally verifies your claims, enabling fast resolution of issues.
At NotaryLive, our notaries can quickly notarize your affidavit.
With online notarization, we easily get documents notarized from home. Contact us and we'll verify your affidavit and assist with recovering from ID theft and fraud. Our notaries are ready when you need us.
Sign and notarize your documents in 4 easy steps:
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**Legal Disclaimer - We are not lawyers or attorneys and do not give any legal advice. Please check with your attorneys, advisors, or document recipients if you have any unanswered questions about your documents.
Updated Date: 09/18/2024
