Identity Theft Claims and Investigations

Colorado State University Global is committed to protecting students’ personal information and takes identity theft very seriously.  If an individual believes someone has fraudulently used their identity to enroll and/or obtain Title IV aid at Colorado State University Global, they must submit a claim by completing and submitting an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit form 14036 available at IdentityTheft.gov or download Form 14039, a copy of the police report filed with local law enforcement, a copy of government-issued photo identification (state driver’s licence, passport, tribal ID) and a statement outlining the theft and/or claim.  The claim may be submitted through a secure link on our website.

Once the full claim has been received, the University will conduct an investigation, which may include analysis of University records, IT data, interviews, and other steps to confirm the identity of the claimant and/or the student.

Identity Theft Claim Process:

Complete and Submit the follow documents through the secure link:

1. An IRS Identity Theft Affidavit form 14036 available at IdentityTheft.gov or download Form 14039
2. A copy of the police report filed with local law enforcement
3. A copy of government-issued photo identification (state driver’s licence, passport, tribal ID)
4. A statement outlining the theft and/or claim (In MS Word, PDF, or Jpeg formats)

You should anticipate an acknowledgment of the receipt of your documents within 5 business days, however it may take up to 60 days from our receipt of the complete set of documents to conclude our investigation.

If You Suspect Your Identity Has Been Compromised These Are The Steps CSU Global Encourages You To Take:

Place a security freeze and/or a fraud alert on your credit report

Contact the three nationwide credit reporting agencies,  Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, to place a security freeze and/or a year-long fraud alert on your credit report. These services are free and help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

• A security freeze prevents businesses from checking your credit report and stays in place until you lift it. Freezing your credit report also means you will need to lift the freeze before applying for new credit, or doing business that might rely on checking your credit (for example, applying for a car loan, being approved by a new landlord, or getting some types of insurance).
• A fraud alert lets businesses know that they must verify your identity before they issue new credit in your name. A fraud alert lasts one year and can be renewed.

For more information, refer to the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice website.

Log into your Federal Student Aid account by going to Federal Student Aid . You may need to reset your password if your account was compromised. If you determine that Title IV aid was falsely obtained using your identity, complete a “False Certification Loan Discharge Application: Identity Theft” form and follow the instructions for submission. The form can be found on the studentaid.gov website.

Review your credit report, credit card statements, and other financial information for suspicious activity

• You can request a free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting agencies (listed above) per 12-month period. The easiest way to get free copies of your credit report is to visit AnnualCreditReport.com. For more information, see the Federal Trade Commission’s Free Credit Reports page.
• Look for suspicious activity, such as new accounts you did not open or purchases you did not make.

Set up alerts for your credit card(s) and bank accounts

These alerts will send you an email or text message when money is spent above certain thresholds or your account has been used without the card present.

Report identity theft to the federal government and get a recovery plan

To report identity theft to the federal government and get a recovery plan, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov website. This is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process.

Complete and submit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039

The FTC’s IdentityTheft.gov website allows you to file IRS Form 14039 online when you report identity theft. Or you can download Form 14039 in PDF format for filing.

If you find your personal information has been used to commit fraud, file a report with your local police department

This will allow you to send a copy of the Identity Theft Report to creditors that require evidence that you allege a crime has occurred. You will also be able to place an extended fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit line. Learn more at FTC Extended Fraud Alerts and Credit Freezes.