My report mixed me with someone else's record. What should I do?

Question

This isn’t something you plan for. One day you’re applying for a job or an apartment. The next, you’re scrambling to prove you’re not a stranger in your own report.

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

What makes it overwhelming isn’t just the error. Employers move quickly. Landlords rent to the next applicant. And the burden lands entirely on you to fix a problem you didn’t create, often while the consequences are already unfolding.
Start here:

Request the full background or tenant screening report immediately.
Dispute every incorrect item clearly and in writing.
Document all harm, including denials, delays, lost income, and emotional stress.

A mixed file is not a minor clerical mistake. It’s a serious accuracy violation, and the FCRA gives you strong rights to challenge it and, when appropriate, seek compensation for the damage it caused.