Credit Fraud or Similar name problem, unsure of what to do

[Sebian]

So I got an alert today from myFico services telling me that I have a new address now for a condo in my name.... I never bought this condo nor live there, I am barely on my 3rd year in my actual new home as it is. I work hard to keep my credit on the upswing and am worried about what could be happening with this address alert. I just finished disputing it online with experian, who sent the alert through myFico and am unsure what I should do next. Do I let experian investigate? Do i need to go to the property and talk to their HoA about it? I don't know how much dust to kick up if its nothing more then a similar name problem... 

[Anonymous]

When this happened to me, experian didn't investigate anything.  They just put a fraud alert on my file and sent it to the other 2 CRA's who did the same thing.  I then had to send a copy of my DL and one utility bill for proof of identity and address.  Once I did that, I put a freeze on my accounts.  It is easier to just provide a pin if you need to apply for credit.  Lenders see a fraud alert and it is an instant denial.  The fraud alerts normally last 90 days.

[Anonymous]

When this happened to me, experian didn't investigate anything.  They just put a fraud alert on my file and sent it to the other 2 CRA's who did the same thing.  I then had to send a copy of my DL and one utility bill for proof of identity and address.  Once I did that, I put a freeze on my accounts.  It is easier to just provide a pin or just unfreeze online if you need to apply for credit.  Lenders see a fraud alert and it is an instant denial.  The fraud alerts normally last 90 days.

[takeshi74]

Don't count on the CRA's investigation.  Have you reviewed your actual Experian report from Experian to confirm that it isn't a myFICO issue?  Experian doesn't send alerts via myFICO.  The alerts come from myFICO.  You'd have to investigate to the best of your abilities to determine what's going on.  It could be a creditor reporting an incorrect address, it could be mistaken identity, it could be fraud.

[Anonymous]

Fraud alerts don't have to mean instant denial; I opened four new revolving TLs no problem with a fraud alert on all three bureaus.

The lenders either call you to verify the application or ask you verification questions.

I could have been lucky, but TD, Chase, US Bank, and Amex seem more than happy to verify you rather than instantly deny.

[Existentialist]

In a nutshell... you're going to need to take the lead on this one and be proactive. Kick up as much dust as necessary. Identity fraud is all too real. We've all seen what it can do. If the property in ? is nearby then by all means hit them up and verify: same name, b-day, middle name variance, ssn, whatever. U break it down to the nth degree if necessary to insure they know U are NOT the party in question. Its your credit thats potentially on the line so U need to be responsible for it. Update if possible and good luck.

[Anonymous]

Are there any bogus credit applicatiosn showing up? What about inquiries? If you see inquiries, call the companies that inquired and see what is going on, you may be able to stop some bogus applications before they get approved. 

Obviously if you do see any fraud credit applications file a police report AND dispute them AND contact those lenders to make sure they know. Don't rely on Experian to contact the lenders, the phone numbers will be right there on your report -- call them.

[Sebian]

Thanks all for the responses so far. 

There are no new inquiries as of yet. I checked my experian report and it shows the new address on it but my TU and EQ are still clean of this occurance. 

At this point my main fear is someone might be trying to use my name and info to get utilities or cable or something and in like a year or two I will have a collection just pop up out of nowhere for a utility or television service I never used. I am probably just going to put a freeze up since I am in the garden till september of 2016 anyway. Better safe then sorry I am thinking on this one.