Someone Is Trying to Open Credit Cards in My Name: What to Do

Experiencing an attempt to open credit cards in your name can be unsettling, signaling a potential identity theft incident. This situation requires immediate action to protect your financial standing and personal information. Understanding the steps to take can help mitigate the damage and secure your identity against further fraudulent activities.

Taking Immediate Action

Upon discovering a fraudulent credit card application, your first step involves contacting the specific credit card company or bank where the attempt was made. Have your personal information, such as your name and address, ready for their fraud department. Request that they cancel the application and provide any details they can about the fraudulent attempt.

Next, place an initial fraud alert on your credit report. This alert, which lasts for one year, signals to potential creditors that they should take extra steps to verify your identity before extending new credit. You only need to contact one of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion—as the bureau you contact is legally required to notify the other two.

After placing a fraud alert, obtain free copies of your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. Federal law grants you the right to one free report from each bureau every 12 months. Carefully review each report for any other unauthorized accounts, suspicious inquiries, or inaccuracies that may indicate broader identity theft.

Protecting Your Credit

Beyond the initial fraud alert, a credit freeze offers a stronger layer of protection by restricting access to your credit file. Unlike a fraud alert, which only prompts creditors to take extra verification steps, a credit freeze prevents creditors from accessing your credit report altogether. This measure can be particularly effective if you are not planning to apply for new credit in the near future.

To place a credit freeze, you must contact each of the three major credit bureaus individually. For Equifax, you can place a freeze online through your myEquifax account or by calling 888-298-0045. Experian allows you to freeze your credit online via their Freeze Center, by calling 888-397-3742, or by mail. TransUnion offers online freezing through their Service Center, by phone at 800-916-8800, or through a mailed request. You will need to provide personal information like your name, address, and Social Security number to verify your identity.

When you need to apply for legitimate credit, you will need to temporarily lift or permanently remove the credit freeze. The process for lifting a freeze is similar to placing one, typically available online, by phone, or by mail through each credit bureau. Temporarily lifting the freeze allows creditors to access your report for a specific period or for a specific lender, after which the freeze automatically reinstates.

Reporting Fraud and Disputing Accounts

Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via IdentityTheft.gov. This online portal guides you through the reporting process and helps you create an Identity Theft Report. This report serves as official proof of identity theft for subsequent actions with creditors and credit bureaus.

Filing a police report with your local law enforcement agency is also advisable, especially if you know who the perpetrator is or if creditors require one. Bring your FTC Identity Theft Report and any other supporting documentation, such as credit reports showing fraudulent activity, to the police department. Request a copy of the police report or at least the report number, as this can be helpful when disputing fraudulent accounts.

With the FTC Identity Theft Report and potentially a police report in hand, you can then dispute any fraudulent accounts or unauthorized inquiries with both the credit bureaus and the individual creditors. Contact each credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and the specific creditors to inform them of the fraudulent activity. Provide them with copies of your Identity Theft Report and any other relevant evidence to support your dispute. Maintain detailed records of all communications, including dates, names of contacts, and copies of correspondence.

Maintaining Long-Term Security

Ongoing vigilance protects against future identity theft attempts. Regularly checking your credit reports is important. You can obtain free copies from each of the three major credit bureaus annually through AnnualCreditReport.com, and some bureaus also offer more frequent access. This consistent review allows for early detection of any suspicious activity, such as unauthorized accounts or inquiries.

In addition to credit reports, diligently review all your financial statements, including bank and credit card statements, for any unrecognized transactions, even small ones. Promptly reporting any discrepancies to your financial institutions is important.

Safeguarding your personal information across all platforms is another preventative measure. Use strong, unique passwords for all online accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. Be cautious of phishing attempts through emails or text messages that ask for personal details. Shred sensitive documents before discarding them, and secure your personal devices with up-to-date software and strong security settings.