Someone Opened a Credit Card in My Name — What Should I Do?

Discovering a credit card account you didn’t open is a serious warning sign. It usually means someone has access to your personal information, and they’re using it to commit fraud in your name.

If this happened to you, you’re likely dealing with more than just confusion. You could be facing:

• Unexpected credit card debt
• Damage to your credit score
• Calls from debt collectors
• Rejection on a mortgage, auto loan, or rental application

The good news: You are not legally responsible for a credit card someone else opened in your name. But the credit card company won’t fix it for you, and neither will the credit bureaus, unless you follow the right steps.

This guide explains what to do immediately, how to dispute the account, and when to contact a lawyer if your credit is still suffering.

Why Credit Card Fraud Happens and What It Looks Like

Someone opening a credit card in your name is a form of identity theft. This happens when someone uses your:

• Name
• Social Security number
• Address
• Date of birth

…to complete a credit card application. The card may be mailed to them directly, and you may not know it exists until you:

• Get a collection call
• See a new account on your credit report
• Are denied for credit due to “high debt”

It’s not always a stranger. Some cases involve family members, roommates, or ex-spouses who had access to your personal information.

What to Do If Someone Opened a Credit Card in Your Name

1. Pull All Three Credit Reports Immediately

Go to AnnualCreditReport.com and request your reports from:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

Look for:

• Accounts you don’t recognize
• Hard inquiries you didn’t authorize
• Changes to your personal information

Download and save all three reports. You’ll need them as evidence.

2. Report the Fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Go to IdentityTheft.gov and complete the identity theft report. It only takes a few minutes and gives you:

• A detailed recovery plan
• A formal FTC Identity Theft Report (PDF)
• Template letters to send to lenders and bureaus

This report helps prove to creditors and credit bureaus that the account is fraudulent.

3. File a Police Report in Mississippi

Contact your local police department and file a local identity theft report. Bring:

• A copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report
• A copy of your credit report
• Your driver’s license or government ID

While police may not investigate directly, this step creates an official record that strengthens your legal position.

4. Contact the Credit Card Issuer and Dispute the Account

Call the fraud department of the bank that issued the credit card. Their number is usually listed on your credit report.

Ask for the account to be:

• Closed immediately due to identity theft
• Marked as fraudulent
• Removed from your credit reports

Submit:

• Your FTC Identity Theft Report
• Your police report
• A signed affidavit, if requested

Keep a record of every phone call, email, or letter.

5. Dispute the Account with the Credit Bureaus

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to demand that false information be removed from your credit reports.

Send a written dispute to each credit bureau reporting the account. Include:

• A copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report
• A copy of your police report
• A letter clearly identifying the account and stating that it is fraudulent

Send everything by certified mail and keep all documentation. The bureaus must respond within 30 days.

6. Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze

Fraud Alert (Free):

• Alerts lenders to take extra steps before approving credit
• Lasts one year
• Contact one bureau and they notify the other two

Credit Freeze (Stronger Protection):

• Blocks all access to your credit report
• Prevents any new accounts from being opened
• You must request a freeze from each bureau individually

Both options are free for Mississippi residents and help protect against further fraud.

7. Watch for Debt Collectors — and Know Your Rights

If the fake credit card goes unpaid, you may start getting calls from debt collectors. Don’t panic—and don’t agree to pay a debt that isn’t yours.

Instead:

• Dispute the debt in writing within 30 days
• Send copies of your FTC report and police report
• Request debt validation under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)

If the collector continues to harass you or reports the debt as valid, they may be violating federal law, and you may be entitled to compensation.

When to Contact a Lawyer

In most cases, identity theft victims can clear their name by following the steps above. But sometimes, that’s not enough.

You should talk to a consumer protection attorney if:

• The credit bureaus refuse to remove the fraudulent account
• The credit card company still claims you owe the debt
• A debt collector continues to pursue the fraudulent account
• Your credit is still damaged after months of disputes

At Ware Law Firm, we help clients across Mississippi resolve these issues for good. We don’t just send letters—we take legal action if necessary to:

• Correct your credit
• Stop debt collection
• Recover financial damages for stress, lost credit opportunities, and more

We also review whether your information was exposed in a data breach or due to a company’s negligence. If so, you may have a separate legal claim.

How Long Does It Take to Fix This?

That depends. If caught early and reported correctly, fraudulent credit cards can usually be removed from your report in 30–60 days. But more complex cases—especially those involving collections or long-term fraud—can take several months to resolve fully.

With a lawyer’s help, you may be able to speed up the process and pursue financial recovery if the damage is significant.

You Didn’t Open the Card And You Shouldn’t Pay for the Consequences

You didn’t apply for the credit. You didn’t authorize the debt. And under the law, you shouldn’t be the one left cleaning up the mess alone.

The key is taking swift action—and getting legal support if things don’t resolve quickly.

Talk to a Mississippi Identity Theft Attorney

At Ware Law Firm, we help Mississippians restore their credit, stop illegal debt collection, and hold financial institutions accountable. If someone opened a credit card in your name and you’re still dealing with the fallout, we’re here to help.

Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a confidential consultation.

We take these cases seriously—because your name, your credit, and your peace of mind matter.