I 've never noticed this before, but when I checked my credit report recently there are many things on there that are not mine. They are all positive transaction, but include a good sized mortgage, store cc, other cc, and one payed off small mortgage, I have a low credit score, I don't think these positive things are lowering mine, but I'm concerned that my negatives may be affecting someone else? I know they live in texas because that address shows up. and is says that my credit was established before I was 18. Where do I start in fixing this? is someone using my ssn?
2007-04-07 10:49:41 · 6 answers · asked by ? 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
It could be possible that there is identity theft OR it could be possible that those accounts belong to someone with a similar name and/or similar SSN.
Contact the credit reporting agencies. (Ideally they should transfer you over to special handling to take care of this)
Find out IF your name and SSN had been used. Or if the name/SSN is only similar.
If the name/SSN is only similar - the CRA's made the mistake (which is normal for them) of adding them to your reports and they should remove them.
If the name/SSN is in fact yours, you might file a ID theft report with the police and send copies to the CRA's and the creditors that are listing the accounts.
2007-04-07 11:17:53 · answer #1 · answered by echo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am going to bet that this is not just an accident on the credit bureau's part. The big red flag here is that you have two mortgages on your report. Credit card and loan errors happen all the time...but not mortgages.
Therefore, since this has happened twice, I'm going to bet you are the victim if ID Theft.
Don't go running off to hire a lawyer...or the social security office like someone mentioned (what a joke!). But you do need to get started getting this fixed.
Here is what you need to do RIGHT NOW! Read the first link below. This file is from the FTC and does a good job discussing Identity theft and how to fix it.
Next...my battle cry! You are about to go to war. Knowledge of the law is your only weapon, so take the time to read up on the Fair Debt Collections Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You will never get anywhere unless you understand these laws, and follow the procedures EXACTLY.
Understand this. The credit bureau doesn't care about you at all. They will not do anything to help you fix your credit, outside of what the law required them to do. Therefore, it's extremely important that you keep accurate records of who you call (get their names!), send all letters by certified mail, and keep a daily log. You will need all of these in the future in the event that a creditor does not cooperate with you and it's necessary to take them to court to clear your credit.
If you were my client, I would next suggest that you contact the mortgage company first. Don't even mess with the other credit card companies or banks...they get so many ID Theft complaints they don't even investigate them seriously. But I'm sure a mortgage company will be greatly interested in knowing someone falsely acquired a loan. I'm willing to bet they will do a serious investigation, and hopefully notify you if there really was an ID theft against you.
Next, send a dispute letter to each credit bureau that has incorrect information on you, and dispute every item not yours. Also inform them that you are the victim of ID theft and request a flag be placed on your credit let creditors know you are a victim. This may require a police report, but that will be covered in that FTC file listed below.
Call each creditor listed (and also send a letter to confirm your converesation), and inform them that there is a loan on your credit report that is not yours. Demand that it be remove it from your report, and investigate it to be sure you will not be further held liable. If they insist it's yours, demand to see their proof (written contract, bills, etc...). In most cases it won't go this far. ID theft is so widespread that many times they just write it off and don't do anything.
OK, get started. You have work to do. If you need more help contact me. I've been there. Actually had to sue a creditor because they wouldn't fix my credit report, and won $1200 in the process.
2007-04-07 18:57:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having too many open accounts can lower your credit score. As far as the addresses etc, do you have any family members who might have access to your SSN? I have seen people lie to get housing, electricity turned on etc by using someone Else's SSN over the phone. I would definitely pull my free credit reports, and go on-line and dispute all the information from the 3 credit reporting agency's. Any bad credit that was put on prior to you turning 18 can be removed easily with proper ID. Good luck! :)
2007-04-07 18:58:40 · answer #3 · answered by Lance 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your credit bureau and find out what their policies are on correcting all your information. If you don't get it fixed right away you could end up with really screwed up credit.
2007-04-07 18:00:07 · answer #4 · answered by Barbiq 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get in touch with credit bureaus and tell them. They'll take care of it.
2007-04-07 18:00:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It certainly sounds like it. Contact your lawyer & the SSI office ASAP!
2007-04-07 17:56:08 · answer #6 · answered by Julia B 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋