Credit and Credit Repair

What is a credit report?

A credit report is a statement that has information about any credit activity including any credit card debts, car loans, etc. that have been taken out in your name.

Am I supposed to get my credit report while in foster care?

Yes, you must be given a copy of your credit report each year starting at age 14. The purpose of getting your credit report each year is so you can learn about your credit and make sure no one has used your information without your permission. For example: taking out a credit card or loan in your name.[1]

Why is it important to check my credit report if I have experienced human trafficking?

Traffickers try to make money any way that they can. If a trafficker had access to your personal information (like your social security number), they may have taken out a credit card in your name and purchased things with it without paying off the credit card bill. They may have taken out a loan in your name so they could buy a car without making the car payments to pay the loan back. They may have made you take out a credit card or loan in your name by forcing, convincing, or lying to you. Many survivors of human trafficking have damaged credit because of situations like this. [2]

How can I fix my credit if a trafficker used my information to take out a credit card, loan, etc.?

There is a special law called the Debt Bondage Repair Act (DBRA)[3] that helps survivors of human trafficking block negative things, like credit card debt, from their credit history if the negative things were a result of their trafficking experience. To fix your credit through the DBRA process, you can contact an authorized legal or social service provider for help. You can find services in your area by visiting https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/find-local-services and typing in your state, city, or zip code. You can also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 to find an agency near you that can help with the DBRA process.

Why would I want to fix my credit? What could happen if I don’t?

If someone used your information to get a credit card, the credit card company thinks you are supposed to pay the credit card bill. This means the credit card company wants you to pay them back for things you didn’t even buy. When you owe a credit card company money, this is called debt. If you have debt, it can lower your credit score which will make it harder for you to get things like a credit card or a loan for a car in the future. By removing things from your credit history, you can increase your credit score or restart your credit as if no one ever took out a credit card or loan in your name.

FosterPower provides information on the benefits, protections, and legal rights of children in Florida’s foster care system and does not include opinions. FosterPower is a non-partisan and independent project that is not affiliated with a government agency or organization. FosterPower is updated frequently, but you should always verify the law independently to ensure it is current.