Victims of financial abuse can now dispute debts they were forced to take on

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants to change how credit bureaus define "identity theft." This would allow victims of financial abuse to dispute debts that were taken out in their name without their true consent.

For years, people forced into debt by abusive partners or family members had no way to clear their credit reports. The system treated these debts as if the victim willingly took them on. This change means credit bureaus will have to recognize that consent can be coerced, not just stolen.