How can I dispute a fraudulent account on my credit report after identity theft?

Question

To successfully dispute a fraudulent account, it is essential to turn a simple complaint into a legal identity theft dispute protected by federal law. Filing an official FTC identity theft report and sending disputes by certified mail creates a clear paper trail that legally requires credit reporting agencies to investigate. This documentation is often critical to enforcing your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

To dispute a fraudulent account on your credit report caused by identity theft, follow these steps:

Report the identity theft.
File an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. If possible, also file a police report, as it can further strengthen your claim.
Submit a written dispute to the credit bureaus.
Although online disputes are allowed, the strongest approach is to send your dispute by certified mail to Equifax, Experian, and/or TransUnion. Clearly request the removal of the fraudulent account and include copies of:
- A government-issued photo ID,
- Proof of address,
- Your FTC identity theft report,
- The police report (if available).
Wait for the investigation (up to 30 days).
Credit bureaus generally have 30 days to investigate consumer’s identify theft dispute and respond. Keep copies of all correspondence and carefully review their response to confirm the fraudulent account has been removed.
Dispute directly with the creditor or collection agency.
It is also recommended to send the same dispute package directly to the creditor or debt collector reporting the fraudulent account. This helps correct the issue faster and reduces the risk of the account reappearing later.

In some cases, credit bureaus fail to remove fraudulent accounts even after proper documentation is submitted. When this happens, you may have legal grounds to file a claim under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and may be entitled to compensation. Consulting with experienced identity theft attorneys before or during the dispute process can help protect your rights and ensure the dispute is handled correctly from the start.