If an account you never opened appears on your report, do not pay it first. Preserve the evidence, file an identity theft report with the FTC, place a fraud alert or freeze, and ask the bureaus to block the fraudulent information.
Common situations
- A credit card or loan you never opened
- Unfamiliar collection calls
- Unknown addresses or phone numbers
Our approach
- Help submit an FTC report at IdentityTheft.gov
- Notify the three bureaus about fraud alerts or freezes
- Request blocking of fraudulent accounts with the FTC report
- Set up monitoring and regular reviews after closing
What to prepare
- Identity proof
- Address proof
- Letters or records related to the fraudulent accounts
Official references
- IdentityTheft.gov — FTC identity theft reporting and recovery
- FTC — Is a credit freeze or fraud alert right for you?
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2 — FCRA: blocking identity theft information
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1 — FCRA: fraud alerts and security freezes
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a credit freeze and a fraud alert?
A credit freeze is free and stops most new lenders from accessing your report until you lift it; you place it separately at each bureau. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and asks lenders to verify your identity; you contact one bureau and it notifies the other two.
How quickly must a bureau block identity theft information?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, once a bureau receives proof of identity, an identity theft report, the specific items involved and your statement that they are not yours, it must block that information within four business days.
Should I also freeze specialty reports?
It can help. Specialty consumer reporting agencies, such as those used for bank accounts and background checks, keep their own files and offer their own freezes.
Accurate, verifiable records may legally remain. We do not guarantee removal or any specific score. You may also dispute errors directly with the credit bureaus for free.
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