§ 604-a. Prohibited practices. 1. Upon receipt from a debtor of the\nfollowing, a principal creditor shall cease collection activities until\ncompletion of the review provided in subdivision five of this section:\n (a) a copy of a valid police report filed by the debtor alleging that\nthe debtor is the victim of an identity theft crime, including, but not\nlimited to, a violation of section 190.78, 190.79, 190.80, 190.81,\n190.82 or 190.83 of the penal law, for the specific debt being collected\nby the principal creditor; or\n (b) a copy of a completed and signed federal trade commission identity\ntheft victim's report filed by the debtor alleging that the debtor is\nthe victim of identity theft; and\n (c) the debtor's written statement that the debtor claims to be the\nvictim of identity theft with respect to the specific debt being\ncollected by the principal creditor.\n 2. The written statement described in paragraph (c) of subdivision one\nof this section shall consist of either of the following:\n (a) a signed federal trade commission ID theft victim's affidavit; or\n (b) a written statement that certifies that the representations are\ntrue, correct, and contain no material omissions of fact to the best\nknowledge and belief of the person submitting the certification. A\nperson submitting such certification who declares as true any material\nmatter pursuant to this subdivision that he or she knows to be false is\nguilty of a misdemeanor. Such statement shall contain or be accompanied\nby, the following, to the extent that such items are relevant to the\ndebtor's allegation of identity theft with respect to the debt in\nquestion:\n (i) a statement that the debtor is a victim of identity theft;\n (ii) a copy of the debtor's driver's license or identification card,\nas issued by the state;\n (iii) any other identification document that supports the statement of\nidentity theft;\n (iv) specific facts supporting the claim of identity theft, if\navailable;\n (v) any explanation showing that the debtor did not incur the debt;\n (vi) any available correspondence disputing the debt after transaction\ninformation has been provided to the debtor;\n (vii) documentation of the residence of the debtor at the time of the\nalleged debt. This may include copies of bills and statements, such as\nutility bills, tax statements, or other statements from businesses sent\nto the debtor, showing that the debtor lived at another residence at the\ntime the debt was incurred;\n (viii) a telephone number for contacting the debtor concerning any\nadditional information or questions, or direction that further\ncommunications to the debtor be in writing only, with the mailing\naddress specified in the statement;\n (ix) to the extent the debtor has information concerning who may have\nincurred the debt, the identification of any person whom the debtor\nbelieves is responsible;\n (x) an express statement that the debtor did not authorize the use of\nthe debtor's name or personal information for incurring the debt;\n (xi) an express statement that the debtor was coerced to authorize the\nuse of the debtor's name or personal information for incurring the debt;\nor\n (xii) criminal or family court documents that support the statement of\nidentity theft.\n 3. The certification required pursuant to subdivision two of this\nsection shall be sufficient if it is in substantially the following\nform:\n "I certify the representations made are true, correct, and contain no\nmaterial omissions of fact.\n_______________________ ________________________"\n (Date and Place) (Signature)\n 4. If a debtor notifies a principal creditor orally that he or she is\na victim of identity theft, the principal creditor shall notify the\ndebtor, orally or in writing, that the debtor's claim must be in\nwriting. If a debtor notifies a principal creditor in writing that he or\nshe is a victim of identity theft, but omits information required\npursuan
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