Glossary

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A

Abusive partner
Someone who uses a pattern of behaviors to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Can be any gender.
Adverse action
When a business decides to take a negative action based on information found in a person’s consumer report. An example is when a landlord decides not to rent to a person, to increase their security deposit, or to increase the cost of rent because of information in that person’s report.
Adverse action notice
Notice given to a person either verbally or in writing of the decision to take a negative action against someone based on information found in a person’s consumer report.
Affidavit
A written statement of facts voluntarily sworn to and signed before an authority with the power to witness an oath, usually a notary public. An identity theft affidavit is a statement specifically about the alleged identity theft.
Answer
In law, a written statement by a defendant that responds to a lawsuit. An answer generally responds to each allegation in the petition by denying or admitting it, or admitting in part and denying in part. In a state lawsuit, there is no requirement to respond to each allegation. 
Authorized user
A person who has permission to use another person’s credit card, but usually isn’t legally responsible for paying the bill.

C

Chapter 521
The Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act. It is the section of the Texas Business and Commerce Code that deals with identity theft.
Coerced debt
Debt that an abusive partner has taken out in an intimate partner’s name either without that person’s knowledge, or because the abusive partner used threats or force to make the other person take out the debt.
Coercive control
Tactics used to instill fear and compliance in a partner in a relationship where there is domestic abuse.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Federal United States agency that enforces federal consumer financial laws and protects consumers in the financial marketplace.