Disputes and Fraud

Account takeover is a situation where someone gains control of an existing credit account without the consumer's permission.

A chargeback is a card-network reversal process used when a borrower disputes a transaction and the issuer pushes the claim back through the payment system.

A credit freeze restricts access to a consumer's credit report for most new credit checks.

A credit lock is a bureau-controlled tool used to restrict or manage new-credit access to a consumer's file.

Dispute and fraud terms that explain identity protection, file freezes, and the steps used to challenge or contain harmful credit activity.

A fraud alert is a notice on a credit file telling lenders to use extra caution when reviewing new credit requests.

Identity theft is the misuse of someone's personal information to open accounts, make charges, or impersonate that consumer in credit activity.

A mixed credit file is a credit report that contains information belonging partly to another person.

An unauthorized account is a credit account appearing on the report that the consumer did not open or approve.

An unauthorized charge is a transaction the consumer did not approve or initiate.

An unauthorized inquiry is a credit-report inquiry the consumer does not recognize or did not permit.