Glossary

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F

Federal student loans
Loans that are administered by the federal government or that were guaranteed by the federal government even if they were made by a private lender. 
Federal Trade Commission
Federal agency whose primary mission is protecting consumers by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive and unfair business practices.
Financial abuse
When an abuser uses money as part of the pattern of coercive control in a domestic abuse relationship. Examples can be controlling access to money, incurring debt in a partner’s name, or hiding financial documents.
Foreclosure
The action of taking possession of a mortgaged property when the homeowner fails to keep up their mortgage payments.
Fraud alert
A notice to a consumer reporting agency that a consumer’s identity may have been stolen and that a request for new credit in that consumer’s name may not be legitimate.
Fraudulent account
A new, fraudulent credit account that is opened as part of identity theft. In the context of coerced debt, it can be when an abuser takes out a new loan or line of credit in the name of a partner.
Fraudulent charge
When a new, fraudulent charge or purchase is made to a preexisting line of credit or credit account without the cardholder’s knowledge and/or permission. In the context of coerced debt, it can be when an abuser buys goods or services using a credit card in the name of a partner when the abuser is not an authorized user.
Furnisher
An entity that supplies information to consumer reporting agencies. The Fair Credit Reporting Act say that furnishers must have information that is accurate and up-to-date, and that they need to investigate disputes submitted to them y the consumer or referred to them by a consumer reporting agency.

I

Identity theft
Identity theft is the crime of obtaining the personal or financial information of another person for the purpose of assuming that person's name or identity to make transactions or purchases. In Texas, it is defined in the Texas Penal Code Section 32.51.
Identity Theft Form
A sworn statement that gives the details of your identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission. An identity theft form is one type of identity theft report.