Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Most instances of something unfamiliar on your credit report fall into one of these categories:

1. A creditor using a name you don’t recognize or have forgotten because you haven’t used that account recently.
2. An error in reporting by the creditor(s).
3. (Less frequently) Credit fraud.

In any case, if you are uncertain of an account on your credit report here are some initial first steps to take:

1. If you haven’t already, obtain an official copy of your credit report from www.anualcreditreport.com.
2. Review the details of the account information provided such as credit limit, original loan amount, and open date. These details often help identify oddly named accounts or confirm for you that the account is in error.
3. Contact the creditor listed on the credit report and request more information.
4. If you determine that the account does not belong to you, can dispute the information with the credit agency. They will also detail the options you have to put security alerts or other corrective or preventative measures in place, if desired.