Disputes and Fraud
When you’re a victim of fraud, it can be surprising and frustrating. We’re here to help you through it. Disputing fraudulent information is one of the steps you can take to respond to identity theft.
- First, secure your information by adding a credit freeze and/or fraud alert to your report
- Then report the fraud to the FTC at identitytheft.gov and your local law enforcement
- You’ll receive documentation from the FTC and law enforcement after reporting the fraud; that paperwork can help you through the dispute process
What happens after I report fraud to the FTC?
Identity theft is a serious crime. After you report the fraud, you may receive documentation from both the FTC and local law enforcement.
Keep these documents. When you contact TransUnion to dispute the fraudulent information, submitting them will help our agents complete the dispute process.
How do I remove fraudulent information from my credit report?
TransUnion can block fraudulent information from your credit report if you send us a valid identity theft report. Examples of a valid identity theft report include:
- A signed and official report filed with a federal, state or local law enforcement agency, the filing of which subjects the person filing the report to criminal penalties relating to the filing of false information
- An electronic Identity Theft Report filed online with the FTC at www.identitytheft.gov
- A U.S. Postal Inspection Service Report
Please ensure that any documentation you provide includes all of the following: Your proof of identity, a certification that you were a victim of identity theft and the specific dates as to when the fraud occurred, along with a list of all items (names, account numbers, etc.) being reported on your credit report inaccurately due to fraud.
You can start this process online by submitting a dispute through the TransUnion Service Center. When you upload documents online, there is a box you can check to note the documents are related to fraud. Through the online process, you don’t need to submit additional proof of identity documents.
You can also send us a request by mail or phone. If you submit by mail, you will need to include a letter than identifies the fraudulent information on your credit report and proof of your identity.
TransUnion will review your information and, if acceptable, will block the applicable items within four business days of receipt.
What else can I do to protect myself from fraud?
- Review your credit report for unusual activity with free weekly credit reports at annualcreditreport.com
- Use secure passwords and be aware of phishing phone calls, text messages and emails
- Protect your credit report with a credit freeze and/or fraud alert
- Learn more about data breach protection and safeguards you can put in place
What You Need to Know:
The credit scores provided are based on the VantageScore® 3.0 model. Lenders use a variety of credit scores and are likely to use a credit score different from VantageScore® 3.0 to assess your creditworthiness.
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