Frequently Asked Questions About Errors on Credit Reports and Background Checks 

Someone Else’s Information on Your Credit Report (Mixed Credit Files)

Q: Why Is Someone Else’s Information on my Credit Report? 

A: Typically, if your credit report contains someone else’s accounts (a family member or someone with a similar name as you, for example) it is because the credit reporting agencies or a furnisher of information (bank, financial institution, debt collector, etc.) has mixed you up with that other individual and merged your credit file(s) together. Many times, individuals with the same or similar names are victims of mixed files. This is also seen frequently amongst family members who use Sr., Jr., III, etc. 

Q: What Do I Do if I am the Victim of a Mixed Credit File?

A: For starters, identify which credit report(s) contain a mixed file. A good starting place is to go to www.annualcreditreport.com to obtain copies of your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports. This service is mandated by federal law and does not cost you anything or harm your credit score. Rather, it allows you to download and save copies of your reports so you can identify what is being reported to each of the bureaus (credit reporting agencies.)

Next, you will want to file a dispute with each credit reporting agency that is reporting mixed information. So, for example, if all three of your credit reports (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) have you mixed with someone else,  you will want to file a dispute with each one of those entities individually. These disputes can be done online by visiting their respective websites (www.equifax.com, www.experian.com, www.transunion.com), by phone by calling their respective hotline numbers (Trans Union: 800-916-8800, Experian: 888-397-3742, Equifax: 888-378-4329), or by sending written disputes to the following locations (Trans Union: P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016, Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013, Equifax: P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256). 

No matter how you choose to dispute the inaccurate information on your credit report, it is imperative that you provide the credit reporting agencies with all of the information they need to conduct a reasonable investigation. For example, you may want to include a copy of your driver’s license and social security card showing you are “Person A” and not “Person B”. You may also want to get a statement from the other person if you know them to include. Really the more information you can give that supports who you are, the better. 

At The Consumer Lawyers, we recommend sending the disputes by certified mail so that you can track them and making sure to maintain copies of what you send to the credit reporting agencies so that you have proof of what they received from you. 

You also will have the option to bring a lawsuit under federal law against the bureau and furnisher if you are being mixed with another individual. The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to sue to not only clear your name and prove that the other person’s information does not belong to you, but also to seek compensation for the damages you have suffered as a result of having a mixed credit file. Most Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees or costs up front, but rather a percentage of the total recovery if you win your case.