Bill > HB437

This bill establishes a legal procedure for victims of identity theft to have debts forgiven and removed from their credit reports. Under the bill, identity theft is defined as using someone's personal information to obtain goods or money without authorization. A victim can first send a certified letter to a creditor requesting debt forgiveness and credit report removal. If the creditor fails to respond within 60 days, the victim can file a petition in chancery court. To be successful, the victim must prove they did not incur the debt, did not consent to the debt, were unaware of the debt when it was created, have filed a formal complaint with law enforcement, and did not benefit from the debt. If the court finds the petition satisfactory, it will issue an order requiring the creditor to release the victim from debt obligations and allow the victim to request the debt's removal from credit reports. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing a clear legal pathway for identity theft victims to clear their financial records and protect their credit standing.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0437.xml