How to Dispute a Credit Card Opened in Your Name

When a credit card is opened in your name -- and you are not responsible for opening it -- the potential for problems can be far-reaching. Each credit card in your name goes onto your credit report. The credit report shows any payment delinquencies that an identity thief creates with the stolen information. The credit report also plays a significant role in your ability to apply for a home loan, a car loan, apply to purchase insurance, and even apply for a new job. As a result, any credit problems that you have not created, need to be addressed immediately. Disputing a credit card opened in your name requires several steps that are necessary to put your credit back on track and remove any information that is the result of identity theft.

Instructions

1

Request a free copy of your credit report. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that consumers request their credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. This report is entirely free and also links the credit reporting from the other three primary credit report companies in the U.S. Among these three (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), consumers can usually request a free copy of their credit report once in a 12-month period. Requesting a copy of the credit report from these companies more than once in a twelve-month period might incur a small fee.

2

Contact the consumer reporting company to let them know of the identity theft. The FTC advises that consumers contact the credit reporting company in writing to explain that a credit card has been opened fraudulently and request clearly that the information be corrected on the credit report. Be sure to include photocopies (but never originals) of any documentation to prove that identity theft has occurred. This might include information proving that you were not in the location where a fraudulent purchase was made. It is important keep a copy of the letter and any information that you send the credit reporting company and to send it via certified mail. By law the credit reporting company must begin the process of addressing the claim of identity theft within 30 days.

3

Contact the credit card company to let them know of the identity theft. Check to see if the credit card company provides a specific address for directing disputes (many do), and send another letter explaining what has occurred and requesting that the credit card be closed or your name be removed in connection with it. Again, be sure to include photocopies (not originals) of any documentation to support your dispute, and send the information via certified mail. The credit card company is also responsible for reporting the dispute to the consumer reporting company.