If you see something wrong on your credit report, dispute that information soon with every credit reporting agency (Experian, Equifax, and/or Transunion) reporting it incorrectly. While each of these credit reporting agencies allow you to dispute by phone, you shouldn't do that.  Instead, always make a written dispute (letter) and send copies of everything that supports your dispute. Download our free, step-by-step guide to dispute your credit report the right way.  Important -- if you believe you are a victim of Identity Theft always state that clearly and send a copy of your police report. Keep a copy of everything you send to the credit reporting agencies. In cases involving identity theft, the credit reporting agencies must block fraudulent information 4 days from the date they get your police report.  In other cases, the agencies will have 30 days from the date they get your dispute to make a full investigation and give you an updated credit report when done. If your report is still wrong, you may have a claim under the Fair Credit Reporting Act or other laws. We've created a step-by-step guide for tackling ID theft for you to use.

Yes! If you believe you are the victim of Identity Theft, make a police report (many police departments and other law enforcement agencies even allow you to do this online). Where Identity Theft hurts you, most is in your credit reports. You can get these reports from credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and/or Transunion) by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.  Once you have this report, make a written dispute to these agencies (see, what do I do if my credit report contains false information) and enclose the report.

You can also print our step-by-step guide for tackling ID theft. It includes template letters to the credit reporting agencies and an affidavit to file a police report.

It can mean you are an Identity Theft victim, or that your credit report has been "mixed" up with someone else's.

A mixed credit file occurs happens when the credit reporting agencies combine information belonging to someone else with your information in their database. This can cause errors involving names, phone numbers, addresses and credit account information. Those with common names, similar Social Security numbers, birthdates or addresses may be more at risk.  If you see names, phone numbers, accounts, or anything else on your credit report that is not yours your credit file may have become mixed with someone else's.  This not only violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act (which requires that credit reporting agencies take reasonable precautions to ensure "maximum possible accuracy") but can heighten your risk of becoming an ID Theft Victim.