A definition of a mixed credit file only goes so far. Below are nine matters I have filed under the Fair Credit Reporting Act in which another person’s information was reported as my client’s. Each is described as the complaint alleged. Clients are not named. Results depend on the facts and law of each case, and no outcome is implied.
Family members in one file
A father’s file and his same-name son’s car loan — E.D. Pa., 2023, against Capital One Auto Finance, First Franklin Financial, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. The complaint alleged that a father whose son carries his name with “Jr.” found the son’s auto loan on all three of his reports, along with several loans opened by his son and his wife. He had co-signed nothing. The complaint also alleged that Equifax released his report to one of the lenders, apparently confusing him with his son, and that his disputes did not clear the accounts at every bureau.
A twin’s loans merged into her brother’s file — N.D. Ga., 2023, against Equifax, with Georgia co-counsel. The complaint alleged that Equifax merged a twin sister’s file into her brother’s. Her student loans, bank loans, mortgage and auto loan appeared as his. It alleged that two auto lenders turned him down citing the Equifax report, and that his disputes drew no results.
Two sisters, one credit file — E.D. Pa., 2020, against Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. The complaint alleged that two sisters with similar identifying information had their files mixed at all three bureaus. One sister’s student loan and credit card appeared under the other. When a card issuer asked for the second sister’s report, it allegedly received the first sister’s and denied the application. The complaint alleged that disputes did not separate the files.
More on these two patterns: when Jr. and Sr. credit reports get mixed and a twin’s or sibling’s accounts on your credit report.
Same name, or a similar number
A Nashville apartment debt — E.D. Pa., 2021, against National Credit Systems, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. The complaint alleged that a consumer found a collection for an apartment in Nashville, in a state where he had never lived. It belonged to another person with the same name. According to the complaint, the bureaus had removed mixed accounts from his file once before, and they verified this one after he disputed it.
About nineteen of a stranger’s accounts — N.D. Ga., 2023, against Equifax, with Georgia co-counsel. The complaint alleged that a consumer’s Equifax file carried another woman’s name, addresses and about nineteen accounts, a mortgage among them, because the two Social Security numbers were similar. It alleged that a bank refused her a home-equity loan over the stranger’s mortgage, that numerous disputes drew no results, and that her request to lift a freeze on her file went unanswered.
Strangers’ accounts that stayed after disputes
About ten disputes over several years — E.D. Pa., 2025, against Trans Union. The complaint alleged that a consumer’s Trans Union file carried store card, credit card and credit-union accounts belonging to other people, with their late payments. It alleged that he disputed about ten times over several years and was told each time that the information was verified.
Two collectors and a card issuer — E.D. Pa., 2018, against National Recovery Agency, I.C. System, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. The complaint alleged that the consumer’s file had been mixed with another person’s. It carried collections from two agencies for debts he did not owe and a credit card account that was not his, and the collectors pursued him for the debts.
A university collection — E.D. Pa., 2017, against Access Receivables and Experian. The complaint alleged that a consumer’s Experian report carried a university account in collection that was not his, because his file had been mixed with another person’s, and that the collector pursued him for it.
A mixed file inside a mortgage report
A tri-merge report with someone else’s identity — E.D. Pa., 2024, against Xactus and Equifax. The complaint alleged that a home buyer’s lender pulled a merged report from Xactus. The Equifax part allegedly belonged to someone else, with a different name, Social Security number, birth date and address history and three unfamiliar accounts. The complaint alleged that when he asked Equifax for his own file, Equifax said it could not locate one, and that the purchase was lost.
If this looks like your report
These matters are examples of a mixed credit report. If your reports show another person’s accounts and written disputes have not removed them, a mixed credit report attorney can review your reports and letters. You pay nothing unless we win.
Admitted in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; available to appear pro hac vice in other federal courts.
Get a No-Cost Evaluation of Your Case Today
You pay nothing unless we win. Find out in minutes whether you have a claim.
Start My Free Case Review855-996-6342