Someone Opened A Bank Account In My Name — Help!

What To Do If You Find a Bank Account in Your Name

If you don't report fraudulent accounts and transaction errors quickly, the bank may not take responsibility for resolving the issue. The moment you spot an unlawful account in your name, take the following steps.

1. Alert banks/credit unions

Immediately notify the appropriate bank that opened the account in your name. You typically need to report fraudulent activity within 30 days of the statement to avoid complications [*].

• Freeze or close the fraudulent accounts. You can usually close accounts in your name without issue, but disputing transactions and damages may require extra steps. At worst, request an account freeze to block withdrawals and other suspicious activity.
• Protect your existing accounts. Strengthen your bank account security by changing your passwords and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). If applicable, you should also sign up for security alerts.

⛳️ Related: How To Protect Your Bank Account From Identity Theft [New] →

2. Order fraud alerts or freezes

Credit file fraud alerts warn lenders of the potential for fraud. These alerts ensure that lenders take precautions when opening new accounts or extending credit in your name, and they remain in place for one year or until you remove them.

Credit freezes prevent lenders from accessing your credit file altogether, while ChexSystems freezes prevent banks from viewing your banking history.

Since financial institutions check your ChexSystems report if you apply for new checking or savings accounts, a freeze prevents someone from opening accounts in your name.

How to activate alerts and freezes:

• Order a fraud alert. Request an alert online or by phone by contacting Equifax (800-685-1111), Experian (888-397-3742), or TransUnion (888-909-8872). You need to present a government ID, Social Security number (SSN), and documentation that includes your address.
• Order a credit freeze. Contact each of the major credit bureaus individually and prove your identity to place a freeze on your file. Depending on the state, freezes remain in place for up to seven years or until removed.
• Order a ChexSystems freeze. Call ChexSystems (800-428-9623), or you can order and manage freezes online.

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3. Check your account information

Checking account reports may also give you details about bank accounts you don't know about. By law, you’re entitled to one free copy of your checking account report every year [*].

• Order a free checking account report. Checking account reporting companies include ChexSystems (800-428-9623), Early Warning Services (800-325-7775), or TeleCheck (800-366-2425). You may need multiple reports to get full coverage of your banking history.
• Ask the bank for an adverse action notice. If a bank denies an account application, it must provide you with an "adverse action" notice. This tells you which checking account reporting agency has negative information on your file.

4. File for an identity theft affidavit

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides victims of identity theft with resources to support the recovery process. To investigate disputed accounts, your bank likely needs an official FTC identity theft complaint (affidavit).

• File an identity theft report. Report fraud at identitytheft.gov or call 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338). You need government identification and your SSN to proceed.

5. Dispute the fraudulent accounts

With an affidavit, you can lodge an official dispute with the bank — which the bank must investigate under federal law [*]. Investigations typically take place within 10 days of a dispute.

• Contact the bank's fraud department. Reach out to any financial institutions that have fraudulent accounts in your name. Follow the bank's steps for submitting your official FTC affidavit and dispute letter. 
• Dispute the checking account report. If previous steps taken don’t lead to resolution, file a dispute with the checking account reporting company that compiled the fraudulent account [*]. Include the fraudulent account numbers (or any other information you have to identify them). You can file disputes by mail or online.
• File disputes with all major credit reporting agencies. If those disputes go unresolved, file a dispute with the credit reporting agencies by mail, phone, or online. Credit reporting agency investigations typically conclude within 30 days.

⛳️ Related: Bank Account Hacked? Here's How To Get Your Money Back →

6. Keep an eye on your credit

Fraudulent bank accounts do not appear on credit reports; the overdraft or line of credit linked to these accounts may be listed on your credit report. Per the FTC, you can order a free copy of your credit report every week from each of the three major bureaus by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com [*]. 

What to look for in your free credit reports:

• Mistakes in your personal information. If fraudsters open new accounts in your name, they may change your personal information on file — such as your address, phone number, or employer. Changes like this may show up on your credit report if your bank reports them.
• Account information. Make sure you recognize all accounts and records listed on your report, including collection agency accounts as well as adverse and satisfactory accounts and their statuses.
• Hard inquiries. Review every credit inquiry on file. If something looks unfamiliar, call the inquirer for specifics.

⛳️ Related: How to Recognize & Avoid Credit Repair Scams →

7. Extend the fraud alert

Extended fraud alerts are available to confirmed identity theft victims who have official documentation. These extend the protections on your credit report for up to seven years, and they block prescreened credit card and insurance offers for five years.

• Contact a credit reporting agency. Call one of the major credit bureaus and request an extended fraud alert. You need to provide contact information and identification to proceed.
• Provide proof of identity theft.  You need to submit identity theft documentation, such as an FTC report/affidavit or a police report. 

8. File a police report

A police report may be required for some fraud investigations and extended fraud alerts, but law enforcement only investigates crime with hard evidence. For example, if you know who opened a bank account in your name or have physical evidence that can help the investigation, contact the police.

• Bring evidence to your local police department. Along with proof of your identity and address, bring evidence to assist the investigation — such as bank statements, collection letters, and anything that may help police identify the fraudster. 
• Bring your identity theft documents. You likely need official fraud documentation, such as your FTC report/affidavit and any records from your bank's internal investigation.

How Can Someone Open Accounts in Your Name?

Online banking has made it easier than ever to manage bank accounts, but this also creates more opportunity for fraud. In fact, identity thieves may only need a smattering of your personally identifiable information (PII) to open an account in your name [*].

For example, here's the online process at Bank of America [*]:

• You can open checking, savings, certificate of deposit (CD), and individual retirement accounts (IRA) online. 
• To do so, you'll need an SSN or another government-issued ID, a physical address, and an email address. You'll also need to make an initial deposit from an existing bank account. In some cases, a driver's license or state ID card is required to verify your identity.
• New accounts typically take 1–2 business days to open. You'll usually receive your account documents within 7–10 days.

In 2024, police arrested two men who used a stolen SSN and fraudulent driver's license to open a bank account in a New Jersey man's name [*]. They were caught after they deposited an Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) check for nearly $3 million into the account and attempted to transfer the funds into other accounts. 

In this case, the scammers used a combination of stolen and fake PII; but someone can open new bank accounts, credit card accounts, and lines of credit by using:

• Fake documents in your name
• Information leaked via data breaches, social media, and other public sources
• Information stolen from fake websites, phishing emails, and phone calls
• Lost or stolen documents/mail

Protect Your Identity — With Aura

If you're not careful, identity thieves can open bank accounts in your name and use them to launder money, apply for new credit cards, and commit tax fraud. 

You can protect your identity by locking down your online accounts and by being on the lookout for scams. But you can also refer to the experts for help.

With Aura’s digital security solution, you receive three-bureau credit monitoring, identity theft protection, and financial transaction monitoring. You also get a password manager and antivirus software, plus 24/7 access to fraud remediation specialists and $1 million in identity theft insurance coverage for every adult on your plan.

Aura has the right tools to help you get ahead of fraud. Try Aura for free →