Identity Theft & Schedule F

[danaf]

Last summer I was a victim of identity theft. Filed a report and the whole 9 yards.

But I'm wondering if I should put those retailers on my Schedule F just in case?

Opinions?

[CATCHMEIFYOUCAN]

You have credit cards w/those retailers? Than you need to include them.

Regards, Catchmeifyoucan

[danaf]

No, I don't have any cc's with the retailers.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Danaf, what I would do is list those retailers in full. I would then add a continuation sheet (you're allowed to do this, which is absolutely grand ) that explains when and how you were victimized by identity theft and what accounts you are listing that are not actually yours, but you are including in the bk. On the actual schedule, check the "Disputed" box next to each fraud account, and in the description, add the words "Fraud Account: See Schedule F Continuation Sheet." That should make it very clear to the trustee which accounts are yours, which are not, and why you are including them. (To be clear, I am saying to list the fraud accts twice: once each in the schedules, and again in a list on the explanatory continuation sheet.) Don't forget to add them to your creditor matrix as well.

I should add that when I was researching cases for my bk, I saw all manner of continuation sheets and non-standard "declarations", including a Schedule B that was done by hand on a piece of notebook paper without a caption -- and it was accepted by the court!!! That blew my mind. I personally was very free with margin notes in my schedules, and for everything that I explained via a margin note, I never heard another peep about from the trustee. See, whatever you include in the filing itself by way of explanation is simply more insurance that you will not be misunderstood, and that you went out of your way to make it clear as day. Also, you can refer any creditors of the fraud accts back to your bk if necessary: if you list it out and explain it this way it's every bit as good as an affidavit, maybe even better, because it's public record AND you signed to its veracity under penalty of perjury. You can make this bk work for you in regard to these fraud accts without actually accepting them as your own; that's what the "Disputed" box is for. I can't see a better reason for checking it off than an acct that wasn't even mine to begin with!

You may choose to handle it differently, but me, I'd paint it with a wide brush for the trustee and court to see. Good luck!!!