Accounts on your credit report that are not yours

Updated October 13, 2026 · Checked against official sources

Mix up or identity theft?

A mix up happens when someone with a name like yours gets mixed into your file. You will usually see their address or their accounts, but nobody applied for credit as you. Fix it with a regular dispute letter.

Identity theft looks like accounts you never opened, credit checks you never asked for, addresses you never lived at, or calls about debts you never had.

Steps for identity theft

1. Report it at IdentityTheft.gov. You get an Identity Theft Report and a recovery plan with letters already written for you.
2. Place a fraud alert. Contact one credit bureau and it tells the other two. It lasts one year. With your Identity Theft Report you can get an extended alert that lasts seven years.
3. Freeze your credit. A freeze is free and stops new accounts from being opened in your name. You have to contact all three bureaus.
4. Ask each bureau to block the accounts. Send your Identity Theft Report, proof of who you are, the accounts that are not yours, and a statement that you did not open them. They must block them within four business days.
5. Contact each company. Call the fraud department of every business where an account was opened. Ask them to close it and stop reporting it, and send them your Identity Theft Report.

Fraud alert or credit freeze?

	Fraud alert	Credit freeze
What it does	Lenders have to check it is really you	Lenders cannot see your report at all
Cost	Free	Free
How long	One year, or seven with an Identity Theft Report	Until you lift it
Who to contact	One bureau	All three bureaus

Lift a freeze for a short time when you apply for a car, an apartment or a card, then put it back.

Common questions

Does a credit freeze hurt my score?

No. It does not change your score, and you can keep using the accounts you already have.

Do I need a police report?

Usually the Identity Theft Report from IdentityTheft.gov is enough. Some companies also ask for a police report.

How is a block different from a dispute?

A block is for identity theft and has to happen within four business days. A dispute is for mistakes and usually takes up to 30 days.

Sources

1. IdentityTheft.gov, run by the Federal Trade Commission
2. Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2: identity theft blocks
3. Federal Trade Commission: Credit freeze or fraud alert
4. Federal Trade Commission: Disputing errors on your credit reports

General information, not legal advice.