Identity Theft: How To Minimize Your Risk

Your actions can go a long way toward minimizing opportunities for fraud, identity theft, and other compromises of your account. Here are four crucial steps that you can take:

 

Quick Links: Download our Identity Theft Form / Ver la versión en Español

 

1. Protect yourself from identity theft

Safeguarding your personal information is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself from identity theft. Keep in mind this applies to both physical documents and online activities:

• Protect your social security number.
• Shred all documents that contain personal information.
• Create passwords that are unique and do not reveal personal information about you.
• Use a unique password for each account.
• Verify sources before sharing information.
• Store information in a secure location.

 

2. Routinely monitor your accounts

Make a habit of monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements on a regular basis. Check your credit report as part of your routine. Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:

• Bills that do not arrive as expected.
• Calls or letters about purchases you did not make.
• Credit cards arriving in the mail that you did not apply for.
• Inaccurate or fraudulent information on your credit report.

 

3. Respond immediately to any concerns

Take immediate action as soon as you suspect you may be a victim of identity theft. Maintain your records and follow these steps to respond and recover:

• Place a “fraud alert” on your credit reports and examine your reports carefully.
• Close accounts which you know, or believe, have been compromised or opened without your permission. Contact law enforcement and file a police report.
• If you suspect you are a victim, call the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338). For additional information from the FTC, please visit their website.

 

4. Stay safe online

Here are some email guidelines to help you guard against identity theft and fraud:

• We will never email you with a request for information.
• If anything in an email prompts you to provide any private information — don’t do it.
• It is not our practice to share your name or information in a way that is inconsistent with our privacy policy. You may view our privacy policy by scrolling to the bottom of the American First Finance home page. Please use caution when reading emails that may appear to have been sent by us. An increasingly common tactic used by criminals is called “phishing” (pronounced “fishing”).

 

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There are many variations, but in general, phishing often takes on one of the following forms:

• Warning of unauthorized access to your account.
• Threatening to suspend or deactivate your account.
• Notification of suspicious or fraudulent charges.
• Offers or rewards for completing a survey.
• Notification of changes or upgrades to our online services.

 

Some other ways to keep your information secure include:

• Memorize your Social Security Number and passwords.
• Don’t use your date of birth as your password.
• Never leave your receipts behind when shopping, banking, or buying gasoline.
• Monitor the expiration date of your credit cards and contact the issuer if you don’t receive a replacement card before it expires.
• Don’t carry your Social Security card or birth certificate.

 

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What To Do If Your Identity Has Been Stolen

 

What do I do if I suspect I have become a victim of fraud or identity theft?

Take action as soon as you suspect an issue.

• Contact American First Finance at 855-721-1188 to alert us of your concern.
• A member of our team will assist you in gathering the necessary information to open a claim.
• Download the identity theft form to report an identity theft (ver la versión en Español). Please complete all required fields, and email or send to American First Finance with all corresponding details to aid in the investigation of the request.

Some reminders about sending in the form:
1. Please complete all required fields.
2. Don’t forget to sign the form.
3. It is necessary to get the form notarized.

• To protect your rights, it is important that you return the Identity Theft Report Form to American First Finance via email or mail. Instructions are included with the form.
• Upon receipt of the completed form, we will thoroughly review the documents and request additional information if necessary.
• You can expect to receive a letter indicating the outcome of the investigation once a decision has been reached.
• Resolution of claims may take up to 30 days, but we endeavor to resolve claims as soon as possible.

 

What happens after I have reported fraud on my American First Finance account?

If you have reported fraudulent charges on your account, we will investigate your claim. It is important to remember:

• You are still responsible for payments that are not related to fraudulent activity.
• It is important that you return the completed Identity Theft Report Form to American First Finance via email or mail. Failure to return the form may affect your claim.
• Upon receipt of the form, we will review the documents.
• You will receive a letter from us indicating the outcome once a decision is reached.
• Due to the time it takes to gather all the documents relevant to your claim, it may take up to 30 days to complete the fraud investigation. However, we endeavor to resolve claims as soon as possible and a resolution may be reached earlier.

 

How do I fill out the Identity Theft Report Form?

When completing the form, please be mindful of the following:

• Please complete all required fields.
• Don’t forget to sign the form.
• It is necessary to get the form notarized.

 

Besides notifying American First Finance about my account with them, what else should I do if I become a victim of fraud or identity theft?

If you become a victim of fraud or identity theft, you’ll want to respond and begin to recover as quickly as you can. The process should include working with your bank and/or card issuer, local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission, state and local agencies, and the credit bureaus.

Notify the three major credit bureaus using the contact information below. Please remember that initial fraud alerts expire after six months, so it may be helpful to learn how to extend the alert if necessary. You may also consider filing a statement with the bureaus asking for notification to you before any new accounts are opened or any existing accounts are changed in your name. This could uncover illegitimate attempts to open additional accounts in your name.

Request and regularly review copies of your credit report from each credit bureau. If information contained in your report is not accurate, you may dispute it and request that it be changed. Regular reviews will help you confirm that the requested changes have been made and if your report has been changed without your knowledge.

A free copy of your credit report is available annually at www.annualcreditreport.com.

 

Are there additional resources available to me that offer identity theft assistance?

Yes. You have various options, including contacting the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit organization, at 1-858-693-7935 or www.idtheftcenter.org.

 

How long does it take for my payment(s) / payment history to update with the major credit reporting agencies?

It varies, depending upon the type of information received. Generally, though, customers can see an update* from the credit bureaus within 30-45 days.*

 

What if there is incorrect information on my credit report?

If you believe that any information contained in your credit report is incomplete or inaccurate, an easy way to file your dispute is online through credit reporting agencies. You can visit their website or call them directly and include the following items in your dispute communication:

• Clearly identify each item in your report you dispute.
• State the facts and explain why you dispute the information.
• Request deletion or correction.

You may also submit a credit dispute directly to American First Finance by mail if you believe American First Finance has reported incomplete or inaccurate information.

In order to best serve you, please include the following in your mailed notice:

• The specific information that is being disputed;
•  An explanation of the basis for the dispute; and
• Include all supporting documentation to substantiate the basis of the dispute.

American First Finance will review your matter within 30 days from when it is received and will notify you of the result of the investigation.

Submit a notice to:
American First Finance
P.O. Box 565848
Dallas, Texas 75356

 

*American First Finance reports to the credit bureaus for all accounts except for new lease-to-own accounts opened on or after January 1st, 2024. Additionally, new Retail Installment Sale Agreements will no longer report to Data X. American First Finance will continue to report to credit bureaus for any accounts opened before this day that were previously reported on. This change does not impact AZ, CA, and FL, given that credit reporting for lease-to-own accounts opened in these states was previously discontinued.