Have you ever found an error in your credit report?
I have found errors, and some of them are still not fully fixed. Someone bought a house in my name when I was 13, and for some reason no one believes that it wasn't me. How the heck could I have bought a house at 13? The police think that someone must have sold my social security number when I was younger, because it keeps getting re-used.
Anyone know what to do when this happens? Am I stuck with this number forever? The police and lawyers that I have talked to are no help when it comes to this. For the most part the mortgage problem IS fixed, in that it is no longer affecting my credit (I think).
I don't even know where this house is. They won't tell me. They say that they can't tell me. If it's my house, I would like to know where I'm supposedly living. I mean if I went into the house, could I even be charged with trespassing since the house is technically mine?! Could I go in and just steal everything (is it even technically stealing if it's all in my name?)
I remember reading this story awhile back (like 5 years ago) about how this woman had her identity stolen and she was at Starbucks ordering a drink. She has an unusual name, and the person before her had her name called out so that she could pick up her drink, and the name was similar to hers. This lady then followed her supposed identity theft person and rung out again behind her and noticed that this lady HAD HER CREDIT CARD. The lady then followed her outside and tackled her and called the police. The person who stole her identity is in jail, but I believe it was for a ridiculously short time (like a couple years).
Here's what to do when you find an error:
- You should be constantly checking items on your credit report, ESPECIALLY if you are like me and things like this keep on happening. I am “subscribed” to a credit reporting agency and I check mine every month.
- When you eventually do find an error, contact the credit bureau where you found the error. You can call (to get more information on it) but make sure that you write. When you write, then include the date, your name, address and the problem.
- If there is an error with more than one credit bureau, then do the same thing for all 3 credit bureaus.
- Include a copy of your credit report and the page that has the error (make sure you don't include any originals of anything). Originals should of course stay with you.
- Include your proof that this is not you. It was VERY hard for me to find proof that the house wasn't mine. How was I supposed to prove that? I WAS 13. Who the heck remembers what they were doing on an exact day when they were 13? I was probably at school when I allegedly bought this house.
- And then wait for a response
If you never check your credit report, and don't find out about it until you buy a house or try getting some sort of loan. This can greatly affect you. You might not be able to get the loan and your credit score will be affected.
Here are the numbers and websites to get a copy of your report.
- Experian-1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com
- TransUnion-1-800-916-8800 www.transunion.com
- Equifax-1-800-685-1111 www.equifax.com
Have you ever found an error? How was the process for you?
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Judy says
December 8, 2011 at 8:28 amMy married last name is common so I use my maiden and married name. I have had my childrens credit reports frozen since they were babies(issues with there dads family) I also have mine and my husbands frozen. This way no one can make any inquiries without calling us first.As for mistakes it took years for my husband to get is fixed. Good luckJudy
diggingoutandup says
December 8, 2011 at 8:54 amA bank I used to go to screwed up and showed me being 3 months overdue on a student LOC that I had paid off and closed. I found it when I was considering buying a home. It took me 4 months to get it cleared up (I had an ally at the bank, otherwise it would have been impossible) so I would be able to take out a mortgage.
Stephanie says
December 8, 2011 at 8:58 amI really need to do this… Everything was fine when I bought a house 2 1/2 year ago, but I haven't checked my credit report since. Oops? I keep saying both my husband and I need to do this to make sure there are no errors. Before the end of the year, for real!! ;-)That is weird that they won't correct your credit report, you'd think that the mere fact that you can prove you were 13 at the time would be proof enough that the person who bought the house wasn't you!!
Tanner says
December 8, 2011 at 9:16 amThough I'm don't know if you can change your number (I am sure that under severe circumstances they would let you change it, but probably not if it's not of Federal importance), you can always freeze your credit like Judy suggested here: />I dont check my credit often enough and I know I should.
My money, my life says
December 8, 2011 at 9:27 amthe story of the woman finding her identity thief at the starbucks makes my skin crawl… I don't know what I'd do in that instance, but it sure would make me paranoid for years after that! Here in Canada I think the credit thefts are a little less common, I've never had it happen to me *knock on wood*, but I've known people who had it happen to them. I am going order a credit report annually on my birthday, and correct any errors ASAP. I really sympathize with your situation. good luck, let us know how it goes!
Mia says
December 8, 2011 at 9:56 amWow I'm so sorry this happened to you! Must be so stressful. My boyfriend has had his credit card and checkings stolen over five times in the last 2 years. =[ It really sucks but this information is super helpful! I hope i'll never need it though. =]always,mia from olivesandcoke.blogspot
Jessi says
December 8, 2011 at 11:44 amI'm so sorry you have to deal with that! I've heard of so many people around me having this problem. It's scary! And you would think someone would come up with a better way to fix these things or prevent them.
Newlyweds on a Budge says
December 8, 2011 at 12:01 pmthat is scary! thank you for the links to the credit reports. I am going to start checking on these every four months. (1 every 4 months)
Alycia (Crowley Part says
December 8, 2011 at 12:11 pmI am so sorry this happend to you and you have had to (and looks like will have to continue) to deal with this! These are some good tips and I am going to be extra careful now… wow.
Sincerely Sara Cate says
December 8, 2011 at 12:49 pmUgh I'm so sorry this is happening. In college, someone purchased a TV satellite dish on my name. At that time, I lived in a college dorm room – obviously no satellite dish! It took me about 7 months to get it reversed.
Meg {henninglove} says
December 8, 2011 at 1:05 pmyou bought a house at 13?? dang girl you must have been making money at an early age. kidding! that is horrible having someone use your personal information like that. i had it done to me recently on my credit card, purchases each of $50 and $600 and that was only because a purchase of $5000 was declined. good thing i caught it!
Breanna says
December 8, 2011 at 1:18 pmThat good information to know!!!thanks!
Michelle P says
December 8, 2011 at 2:07 pmIt's crazy how many people this type of thing happens to! I'd like to meet the person who is doing it to me.
Fash Boulevard says
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Penny says
December 9, 2011 at 3:19 amI check mine about as often as I'm allowed to for free, and I've never discovered an error. Due to some joint bank and credit accounts with my mom I sometimes get some interesting address histories, though.(I'm pretty sure the house isn't "technically yours" though. You haven't paid for it. They just used your SSN to get the loan.)
Michelle P says
December 9, 2011 at 8:31 amPenny, I had a joint account with my mom when I was younger, and some interesting things popped up on my report also. It just leads me to think that she is more insane then I thought. Oh family problems…And yeah I know I was joking. That's why they won't give me the address. It was affecting my credit for quite some time though, so I would just wish the house wasn't in my SSN anymore! ahhh I hate those people.
femmefrugality says
December 9, 2011 at 12:27 pmThis is absolutely crazy. I'm going to check out mine for sure now. Oh, and I'd totally go start squatting in that house until something gets done about it. At the very least it will draw some media attention to your issue.
Gwen Edwards says
December 9, 2011 at 6:30 pmwow! this is so helpful. great idea for a blog. thanks for you comment on my Home Town post on Henning Love:)
Renee says
July 26, 2012 at 4:41 amI have heard that there are people who will steal babies' SSN and ruin their credit right when they are born. So then when the child checks his/her credit report later in life…their credit is ruined and the thief did it SO long ago that it's basically untraceable.