Someone Opened an Account in My Name: What to Do
A bank account, credit card, loan or phone contract was opened using your identity. Step-by-step: confirming the account, contacting the provider, reporting, protecting your credit and keeping records.
A letter welcomes you as a new customer of a bank you have never used. A debt collector calls about a phone contract you never signed. Your credit record shows a loan you did not take out. Someone has used your identity to open an account. It is stressful, but there is a clear process to close it and clear your name.
Step 1: Confirm it is real
Some "you owe us" letters and calls are scams themselves. Contact the organization using details from its official website, not from the letter or caller, and ask whether an account exists in your name.
Step 2: Report it to the provider
- Tell the fraud department the account is not yours and was opened fraudulently.
- Ask them to close it and mark it as fraud.
- Ask them to confirm they will update the credit reference agencies.
- Ask for a reference number and the date and details of the application.
- Follow up in writing, and keep copies.
Step 3: Report the identity theft
- United States: IdentityTheft.gov creates a report and a personal recovery plan.
- United Kingdom: report to Report Fraud, and consider Cifas protective registration.
- Elsewhere: your police and national fraud or cybercrime service.
See reporting identity theft in different countries.
Step 4: Protect your credit
- Place a credit freeze or fraud alert where available. See credit freezes explained.
- Check your credit record for other accounts. See checking your credit record.
- Dispute any fraudulent entries with the credit reference agencies.
Step 5: Find the gap
How did they get your details? Consider recent breaches, lost documents, stolen post or ID sent to a scammer, and secure those routes. See mail theft and protecting ID copies.
Keep a log of every call, letter and reference number. Identity fraud can take weeks to resolve. See keeping a log after identity fraud.
If debt collectors contact you
Tell them in writing that the debt is the result of identity fraud, give your report reference, and ask them to stop collection while it is investigated. See dealing with debt collectors after identity fraud.
Got a letter or call about an account you did not open? Paste the text into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check before you respond.
For the full process, see how to respond to identity fraud in our complete guide.
Frequently asked questions
Am I responsible for debts on an account I did not open?
Generally, genuine victims of identity fraud are not held responsible for fraudulent accounts once the fraud is established, but you need to report it and dispute it promptly.
How do I prove the account is not mine?
Report the fraud to the provider and your national service, get reference numbers, and provide any evidence they ask for. Keep copies of everything.
Will this affect my credit score?
It can, until the fraudulent account is removed. Ask the provider to confirm it has told the credit reference agencies, and check your credit record afterwards.
Sources
- IdentityTheft.gov, US Federal Trade Commission
- Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports, US Federal Trade Commission
- Protective Registration, Cifas (UK)
