What can I do if I'm a victim of identity theft in Tennessee?

1. Immediate Steps

(a) File an FTC Identity Theft Report at IdentityTheft.gov with the FTC Affidavit. (b) File a police report with your local Tennessee agency. (c) Place a fraud alert with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. (d) Place a credit freeze at all three bureaus, free under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1.

2. FCRA Rights

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., provides blocking (§ 1681c-2), disputes (§ 1681i), and records access (§ 1681g(e)).

3. State Identity Theft Statute

T.C.A. § 39-14-150 makes identity theft a Class D felony (2-12 years, up to $5,000 fine); identity theft trafficking under § 39-14-151 is a Class C felony (3-15 years).

4. State Identity Theft Passport / Victim Notification

Tennessee does not issue a formal passport but the TN Division of Consumer Affairs provides victim assistance and complaint forms.

5. Restitution & Civil Remedies

T.C.A. § 47-18-2104 (Identity Theft Deterrence Act) allows civil suit for actual damages, treble damages for willful violations, and attorney's fees. Criminal restitution under T.C.A. § 40-35-304.

6. Tax-Related ID Theft

File IRS Form 14039 and request an IP PIN at IRS.gov; notify the Tennessee Department of Revenue if business tax related.

7. Child ID Theft

T.C.A. § 47-18-2110 allows protected consumer freezes for minors, free of charge.

8. Medical ID Theft

Notify insurer and request HIPAA accounting (45 C.F.R. § 164.528).

9. Synthetic Identity / Account Takeover

Section 39-14-150 reaches "personal identifying information"; Regulation E (12 C.F.R. § 1005.6) covers EFTs.

10. Statute of Limitations

Civil claims under TCPA (§ 47-18-110) have 1-year SOL from discovery; general tort 1 year (T.C.A. § 28-3-104).

This is legal information, not legal advice.