Once you have gotten your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, you will need to check them for any information you do not recognize or may not be true. Each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies uses a slightly different format of presenting the information about your credit history.
The credit reports contain a lot of personal information. They include the names that you use, past addresses, social security numbers, phone numbers, and employment history. Credit reports also have information about the different credit accounts you have open and your payment history on those accounts. Make sure all the information is correct. If anything looks incorrect or suspicious, make note of it.
Did you find coerced debt—debts from your abuser incurred through force, threat, or fraud, where you received no benefit? Your next step might be to dispute that debt. Guide 4 will explain how to do that.
What if I get a bill for an account I don't recognize?
If you get a bill in your name and you do not recognize it, you will first want to find out if the account or debt is legitimate. You can do this by calling the number that is provided on the bill and requesting that they verify the details.
If the account is not bogus, but you confirmed that you did not open up the account, you will want to take steps to dispute it so that it does not negatively impact your credit report and so you are not responsible for paying it.
If the account is a credit account or an account that is already in collections, you'll want to check your credit reports (see Step 1) and then dispute (see Guide 4) with the consumer reporting agencies and the original creditor or furnisher.
If the bill is delinquent or in collections, it will likely show up on your credit report. If the bill is a utility, telephone, or cable bill, and the bill is current or in good standing, it is unlikely that it will show up on your credit report. In that case, you can dispute the debt, following the steps in Guide 4.