How to check if someone opened a credit card in your name and stop the fraud

According to the most recent data provided by Consumer Sentinel Network, credit card fraud was the most common type of identity theft reported in 2024. So how do you know if someone opened a credit card in your name? By recognizing the signs and acting quickly to investigate and resolve the issue.

In this article, we’ll explain how to know if someone opened a credit card in your name, how to identify warning signs, how to check for suspicious activity, and how to take actionable steps to stop and prevent fraud before it causes lasting damage.

Signs someone opened a credit card in your name

Knowing how to spot the signs of credit card fraud and identity theft can save your finances — and your peace of mind. Some clear warning signs that someone opened a credit card in your name include:

• Mail or calls from banks you weren’t expecting. Receiving welcome letters, bills, or phone calls about credit accounts you didn’t open is often the first sign of fraud.
• Sudden drop in your credit score. Fraudulent credit card accounts often lead to hard credit inquiries or high balances, which can damage your good credit score.
• Debt collector calls about unknown accounts. Receiving a call from a debt collector about overdue payments for a credit card you’ve never used is a major red flag.
• Emails about purchases or warranties you don’t remember. Fraudsters often use stolen identities to buy items with warranties. Emails about purchases you didn’t make may indicate fraud.
• Credit application denials without explanation. If you’re denied credit despite having a good financial history, double-check your credit report. Unauthorized financial accounts or high balances may be the cause.

How to check if someone opened a credit card in your name

If you’re worried someone might have opened a credit card in your name, take the following steps:

Step 1: Access your credit report

To find out if someone opened a credit card in your name, start by accessing your credit report. Your credit report lists all your active accounts, loans, and any credit inquiries. Visit annualcreditreport.com to access free reports from all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Review each credit report carefully, line by line.

Be aware that credit reports are not updated in real time. According to the Government of Canada, when you open a new account or make changes to an existing one, it can take 30 to 90 days for that information to appear on your credit report.

So to stay on top of your credit information and be informed about suspicious credit activity that may indicate identity theft, consider using a credit monitoring service. NordProtect's credit monitoring service can help you track your credit file and alerts you about any changes or suspicious activity on your credit report.

Step 2: Look for unfamiliar accounts or charges

To find all credit cards in your name, go to the section of your credit report that lists all your open accounts. Review this section carefully. If you see a credit card, loan, or lender you don’t recognize, it could be a sign of identity fraud.

Pay attention to any unfamiliar account details — like the lender name, balance, or account number — and write them down. This information will be important when you report the fraud and work to resolve it.

Step 3: Check for hard credit inquiries you didn’t authorize

Another way to tell if someone opened a credit card in your name is to check your credit report for hard inquiries you didn’t authorize. Each time someone applies for credit using your information, the lender requests a review of your credit report, which results in a “hard inquiry” being added to your file.

These inquiries can come from banks, credit card companies, auto lenders, or even retailers. Go through the list carefully. If a lender seems unfamiliar, take it as a warning sign of identity theft. While hard credit inquiries are normal when you apply for credit, spotting one you didn’t authorize should immediately raise suspicion.

Optional step: Check for additional suspicious activity

While reviewing your credit report is the quickest way to identify fraudulent credit card accounts, additional steps can help uncover other types of financial fraud. These steps may not always reveal a new credit card opened in your name, but they can help identify other potential risks.

• Monitor your bank accounts. Review your bank statements regularly for strange withdrawals, purchases, or transfers. Even small, unfamiliar charges can signal fraud.
• Check IRS and Social Security records. Fraudsters may misuse your information to file fake tax returns or falsify income. Look for inconsistencies or unauthorized filings in your records.

What to do if someone has opened a credit card in your name

Realizing someone has opened a credit card in your name can feel overwhelming, but you can take back control of your finances. The steps below will help you address the fraud, minimize the damage, and protect your financial future.

1. Contact the credit card issuer

The first thing you need to do if someone has opened a credit card in your name is call the credit card company that issued the fraudulent account. You can find the lender’s contact information on your credit report, the billing statement, or its official website. 

During your call, inform the credit card issuer that someone else opened a credit card in your name without your permission. You should also ask the company to freeze or close the fraudulent account to prevent any new charges.

Ask the credit card issuer to provide written confirmation that the account has been closed and that you are not responsible for any charges. This documentation can be helpful if the issue appears on your credit report in the future.

2. Place a fraud alert

The next step is to protect yourself from future fraud by placing an initial fraud alert on your credit file. A fraud alert instructs creditors to verify your identity before opening any new accounts or loans in your name.

To place an initial fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus and make a request. You only need to contact one bureau. It will notify the others on your behalf.

The fraud alert is free and lasts one year. If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, you can request an extended fraud alert that lasts seven years.

3. File a report with the FTC

Next, report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC will provide you with an official Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery plan to guide you through the next steps.

To get started, visit identitytheft.gov and complete the online form. Provide as many details as you can. Once you submit the form, you’ll get access to your Identity Theft Report and recovery plan, which you can save or print.

Share this report with creditors, the credit bureaus, or even law enforcement to dispute fraudulent information and clear your name.

4. Freeze your credit

Once you have filed a report with the FTC, consider freezing your credit. When your credit is frozen, lenders can’t access your credit report, which stops them from approving new applications.

To freeze your credit, contact each of the three credit bureaus individually to request a security freeze. Freezing your credit is free and doesn’t impact your credit score. You’ll receive a PIN or password that allows you to temporarily "unfreeze" your credit if you need to apply for new credit.

Use the following contact information to freeze your credit with all three credit reporting agencies:

Equifax

• Online: Equifax credit freeze webpage
• Phone: 888-298-0045
• Mailing address: Equifax Info Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

Experian

• Online: Experian credit freeze webpage
• Phone: 888-397-3742
• Mailing address: Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion

• Online: TransUnion credit freeze webpage
• Phone: 800-916-8800
• Mailing address: TransUnion, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

5. Clean up the damage

Now it’s time to clean up the damage and fix your credit history. Use your FTC Identity Theft Report to dispute any fraudulent accounts, charges, or hard inquiries. Notify both the card issuer and the credit bureaus about the account fraud and request that they remove these fraudulent entries.

When filing disputes with the credit bureaus, include your FTC Identity Theft Report and any supporting evidence, such as a police report if you’ve filed one. Doing so can help remove the fraudulent credit accounts and activity from your credit history.

How to prevent someone from opening a credit card in your name

Preventing credit card fraud is easier than recovering from it. Below are four effective strategies to prevent someone from opening a credit card in your name.

Use a credit freeze

One of the four strategies to prevent someone from opening a credit card in your name is to use a credit freeze. A credit freeze stops creditors from accessing your credit report, which blocks identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name. It’s free and easy to set up through Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

Put a fraud alert

The second option to prevent someone from opening a credit card in your name is to put an initial fraud alert. If you’re worried about identity theft but don’t want to freeze your credit, a fraud alert is a great option. 

This alert notifies lenders to take additional security measures to verify your identity before approving a new account. For example, they may call you directly to confirm the application.

Monitor your credit reports regularly

One of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent fraud is by keeping a regular eye on your credit reports. You can get your free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com. You’re entitled to one free credit report per bureau every week. Accessing your credit reports is free and easy, so make it a habit to check them regularly. 

You may also consider using identity theft protection services. NordProtect offers credit monitoring that tracks your credit file and alerts you about any sudden changes or suspicious activity. It allows you to take immediate action in case someone else is using your identity.

Protect personal information

Yet another way to prevent someone from opening a credit card in your name is to protect your personal information. Often, the easiest way for identity thieves to commit fraud is by stealing your personal details.

Simple habits like shredding sensitive documents before tossing them, being cautious online, securing your mail (or going paperless when possible), and limiting the documents you carry with you can make all the difference in keeping your data safe and out of criminals’ hands.