“When a trafficker is taking control of someone's life, they will frequently apply for and obtain credit cards in the victim’s name, or they may take out loans in the victim’s name. Then that doesn't get paid off and appears on the victim’s credit report not the trafficker’s.”
Amanda Colegrove is Safe Haven Ministries Human Trafficking Task Force Coordinator.
“Because they don't really have control and they are likely not getting paid and being forced to work, they in turn can't pay off the debt and so then they are just continually being financially burdened by what the trafficker is doing to them.”
Once a victim is freed of that situation, bad credit creates a financial barrier to rebuilding his or her life.
“We all know how important a good credit rating is in order to move forward, financially I mean. Apartments are checking that; jobs sometimes check that.”
Now, under an amendment to the Fair Credit Act, Safe Haven Ministries can assist a survivor in filing a Victim Determination Document allowing credit reporting companies to investigate.
“This does not get rid of the debt itself. It merely stops that debt from being reported on their credit.”
And that allows the process of rebuilding credit to begin.
If you or someone you know needs help, call or text the Safe Haven Ministries 24/7 Help Line at 616-452-6664.
