If you dated or were married to someone who hurt you, check if they opened credit cards or loans in your name. They might have done this without asking you. If these debts are not paid on time, it can hurt your credit. This means it will be harder for you to get loans or credit cards later. It can also make it harder to rent a house, get insurance, or get a job.
Order your credit report to check for anything wrong. Look for credit cards or loans you did not open yourself.
What is a credit report?
A credit report shows information about your money and debts. It lists all your credit cards and loans. It also shows if you paid your bills late or missed any payments.
Your credit report has personal information too. This includes where you live now and where you used to live. It has your phone numbers and your social security number.
Your credit report is important. Banks look at it to decide if they will let you borrow money. They also use it to decide how much you will pay. Other people look at your credit report too, like bosses when you apply for a job, insurance companies, and landlords.
How can you order your credit report?
You can get one free copy of your credit report each year. You can get one from each of the three big credit companies. These companies are called Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Here is how to order your report:
By phone: Call 1-877-322-8228
Online: Go to www.annualcreditreport.com
By mail: Print the Annual Credit Report Request Form. Fill it out. Mail it to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
How can you stay safe?
If you think your abuser might order your credit report, you need to protect yourself. Here is what to do:
Call the three credit bureaus (credit companies). Ask them to put a credit freeze on your credit reports. A credit freeze stops most people from looking at your credit report. This can stop your abuser from seeing your information.
Here are the phone numbers:
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742
- Equifax: 1-888-766-0008
- TransUnion: 1-877-322-8228
Do NOT use your real address on credit card or loan forms. Use a P.O. Box address instead. Whatever address you write will show up on your credit report.
If you moved far away from your abuser, do NOT apply for credit at local banks in your new area. For example, do not apply for a mortgage (home loan) or other loan from a bank near your new home. Choose a national bank instead to help keep your new location private.
Do NOT give your real address to the credit reporting agency (credit company). The address you give will show up on your credit report. If your abuser gets your credit report, they will know where you live. Give a P.O. Box address instead.
Last Reviewed: February 6, 2026