A collection account on my credit report isn't mine
An unfamiliar collection can be a reporting mistake, a mixed-up file, or identity theft. Here's how to sort out which and what to send.
First, figure out what it is
Look at the original creditor name and the date opened. Sometimes a collector uses a different name than the company you dealt with, so it may be an old bill you forgot. If you truly never had the account, it may be a mixed file (someone with a similar name or SSN) or identity theft.
If it might be identity theft
Make a report at IdentityTheft.gov. Then use the identity theft block letter in our letter builder. Bureaus generally must block the information within 4 business days of getting your report and request. Consider a free credit freeze at each bureau.
Dispute with the bureaus
Send a dispute saying the account is not yours to every bureau that shows it.
Ask the collector for proof
If the collector sent you a notice, you can dispute in writing within the validation period on that notice. The collector must stop collecting until it mails you verification. Use the "prove the debt" letter in our builder.
Report problems
You can complain to the CFPB and to your state attorney general. Many states also license debt collectors; in California that's the DFPI.
Questions
Should I pay a collection that isn't mine to make it go away?
Paying doesn't prove it's yours, and it may not remove it. Dispute it and ask for proof first. If you're being sued, talk to a lawyer or legal aid.
General information, not legal advice. Sources: CFPB, FTC. Checked November 2026.