MS HB47

Identity theft victims may send a certified letter to creditors requesting forgiveness of fraudulent debt and removal from credit reports.

If the creditor fails to forgive the debt and contact credit bureaus within 60 days of receiving the certified letter, the victim may petition chancery court in their county of residence or where the debt was incurred.

Victims must file a sworn petition demonstrating they did not incur the debt, had no knowledge of it, filed a police report, and received no financial benefit from the fraudulent transaction.

Upon successful court petition, the creditor must be ordered to release the victim from all debt obligations and authorize removal of the fraudulent debt from the victim's credit history with all credit reporting bureaus.

The act becomes effective July 1, 2012.