Credit reporting agencies sometimes mix or merge credit reports for consumers who share similar personal information. 

If your name, address or Social Security number is similar to someone else’s, your credit reports might get mixed up. Mixed credit files frequently occur with relatives (including when you share a family name with a relative or if you obtained your Social Security number at the same time as your other family members).

But sometimes credit reporting agencies can mix the files of two complete strangers who share similar identifiers, like a similar name and date of birth. And people who use two last names frequently experience mixed credit files.

Mixed credit files can be difficult to catch until you are denied for credit. But there are some things you can look for to see if you have a mixed credit file:

• Names, addresses, dates of birth or Social Security numbers that don’t belong to you listed on your credit report.
• Accounts that don’t belong to you listed on your credit report.
• Someone else’s Social Security number is listed on your report even though you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• Inquiries listed on your credit report from companies that you did not apply for credit with, or with whom you do not have a business relationship.
• Being unable to obtain a copy of your credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com even though you answered all the verification questions correctly.

When accounts or information that doesn’t belong to you appears on your credit report, it’s easy to mistake for identity theft. But often, it means the credit reporting agencies have mixed your file – a mistake that can be difficult to fix without an attorney.

Though a simple mistake, a credit report mix-up should be addressed immediately because it can cause serious issues when you apply for credit. If someone else’s information is in your credit report or you think you may have a mixed file, contact us below for a free consultation.

Why address mixed credit files?

If your credit report is mixed with someone else’s, any harmful information regarding the other person’s financial profile can end up hurting your credit and prevent you from obtaining a loan or other financial services that you need. It is better to address these errors immediately, so that you can obtain credit to address any unforeseeable emergencies.

Having a good credit score also saves you money because it results in more credit opportunities with better interest rates. Bad credit can lead you to receive higher interest rates on loans or credit cards. It can even lead you to be denied for a job or a home rental or mortgage.

By fixing mixed credit reports, you can prevent any negative impact that someone else’s poor credit might have on you.

How can we help you with mixed credit files?

At Kelly Guzzo, PLC, our attorneys know the Fair Credit Reporting Act and how to address mixed credit file issues under the statute. We’ve helped hundreds of clients fix their mixed credit files. We can advise you of your rights and the best way to have the errors fixed.