Gorski Law
Pennylvania & New Jersey Consumer Rights Law Firm
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Mixed Files

Mixed credit files occur when the credit reporting agency has merged all or part your credit file with another person. The person whose file is mixed with yours often has the same or a similar name as you do and has similar personal identifying information or live is close proximity to where you live or have lived in the past. It is also common that the person you are mixed with is a family member or relative. 

Mixed Credit Files

Mixed credit files occur when the credit reporting agency has merged all or part your credit file with another person. The person whose file is mixed with yours often has the same or a similar name as you do and has similar personal identifying information or lives is close proximity to where you live or have lived in the past. It is also common that the person you are mixed with is a family member or relative. Signs that your file might be mixed with another person include:

  • Social security number or date of birth on your credit report that is not yours;
     
  • Addresses you have never lived at on your report;
     
  • Addresses of family members on your report;
     
  • Accounts or public records that don't belong to you that are in good standing appear on your report;
     
  • Accounts or public records that don't belong to you appear on only one of your national credit reports but not others;
     
  • Credit inquiries related to credit applications you never made appear on your report.

Mixed files can cause serious problems, particularly if the person you are mixed with has bad credit because it will harm your credit score or make it appear you have loans that you do not have. It is also exposing your personal information and credit information to possible strangers or family members who you do not want to have access to your credit information.

Mixed files can also be difficult to fix on your own. It is not uncommon for people who are mixed to have difficulty obtaining a copy of their credit reports because of erroneous personal information and credit information that was merged into their credit files.  Mixed files can recur even if you are able to get the credit reporting agency to remove the erroneous information because their computing systems need to be reprogrammed to prevent mixing from occurring in the future, which they are sometimes hesitant to do prior to legal action against them.

Mixed Credit Reports Are A Serious Problem You Should Not Ignore

If your credit report appears to be mixed, you should not ignore this problem. Minimally, you need to contact the credit reporting agency to dispute the erroneous items on the report. You also may want to consider speaking to a lawyer.  Mixed credit files can cause numerous harms including:

  • Denials of credit including mortgages, auto loans and credit cards;
     
  • Delays or denial of your employment application if your credit is checked;
     
  • Denied an apartment or other rental property;
     
  • Denied utility services such a cable tv or a cell phone;
     
  • Denied insurance;
     
  • Allowing your credit history and personal information to be viewed by a stranger which could result in identity theft.

In addition to these harms, mixed credit files reported about you can adversely impact your reputation and cause substantial emotional stress.  All of these harms are compensable under the law, but you are unlikely to receive any compensation without help from a lawyer. 

Do You Need Help?

If you think you have a mixed credit file, Gorski Law may be able to help resolve the problem and obtain compensation for you.  Initial consultations are always free. Call 215-330-2100 or email the firm to schedule a consultation.