- In This Article
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- Determine which information is inaccurate on your three credit reports
- Place a fraud alert on your credit reports
- Work with the companies that issued the fraudulent accounts
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Many people find out they are victims of identity theft when they try to open an account. It often comes as a shock. If you are refused a new line of credit because you are a victim of identity theft, take the following steps:
- Contact all three major credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your credit reports. You will want to obtain your complimentary copies of all three credit reports.
- Go through the reports and highlight all fraudulent accounts and incorrect information.
- Contact your local law enforcement to file a police report stating you are a victim of identity theft. Take your highlighted credit reports as evidence. You will need to obtain a copy of this police report to clear any fraudulent activity.
- Contact all the companies where fraudulent accounts have been opened, any collection agencies that are involved, as well as any company with a pending application. Speak with the fraud department, not the customer service department.
- Ask the fraud department what is required to clear you from this account and to remove it off of your credit reports. Once the company has found it to be a fraudulent account, they must remove it from your credit reports.
