Requesting your credit report is often the most immediate way when it comes to finding bank accounts in your name. You can also check for accounts by requesting a free ChexSystems report at chexsystems.com, which will show your banking history as well.
Discovering all the bank accounts and financial products linked to your name is crucial for managing your finances, protecting yourself from identity theft, and ensuring no money or accounts are forgotten. Let’s break down comprehensive, actionable steps (including lesser-known tips) to help you find every active or dormant account in your name.
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Table of contents
How to find accounts in your name
| Step | Tools and resources | What to do | Why it helps |
| 1. Check your credit reports | AnnualCreditReport.com | Get free annual credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Review all accounts in your name, such as credit cards, loans, and bank accounts. Look for unfamiliar accounts or inquiry activity. | One of the most reliable sources for finding open credit and bank accounts. |
| 2. Request your ChexSystems report | ChexSystems.com | Request your free report every 12 months. Review for any unfamiliar deposit accounts, like checking or savings. | Reveals deposit accounts and banking issues not reported on credit reports. |
| 3. Monitor your bank statements | Your bank’s online statements or mailed statements | Regularly review statements for unfamiliar transactions or new accounts. Set digital alerts for withdrawals and deposits. Check at least weekly. | Early detection of fraud or forgotten accounts. |
| 4. Contact past employers/payroll | Your current or past HR/payroll departments | Ask about Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and 401(k)s in your name. Confirm account status or closure. | Help you find forgotten employer-related accounts. |
| 5. Search for unclaimed property | National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) Missingmoney.com PBGC database | Search unclaimed property databases across states. Claim any dormant or abandoned accounts, including past retirement accounts. | Helps recover unclaimed funds or forgotten deposits that others may miss. |
1. Check your credit reports from all three bureaus
Your credit report is the most reliable place to start. Your credit report will display every open account in your name, including credit cards, loans, and bank accounts.
- Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to get free annual reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Look for unfamiliar accounts, addresses, or inquiry activities.
If you want to monitor your credit report more frequently, many major banks, financial technology companies and credit card issuers offer free credit reports or credit monitoring. For example, MoneyLion can help you learn more about credit scores and offers a credit-building monitoring service.
2. Request your ChexSystems report
ChexSystems tracks deposit accounts like checking and savings and flags issues such as overdrafts or fraud. It’s a vital resource for uncovering accounts that don’t show on credit reports.
- Go to ChexSystems.com.
- Request a free consumer disclosure report every 12 months.
- Review for any unfamiliar banks or accounts.
3. Regularly monitor your mailed and digital bank statements
Regularly review your banking statements for any unfamiliar transactions or accounts. This includes credit cards, checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts. If you don’t recognize a transaction, speak to your bank immediately. Most institutions now offer online access or in-app access.
- Be on the lookout for mail or emails containing bank statements or notices from unfamiliar institutions.
- Set digital notifications on all your accounts for deposits and withdrawals.
- Try to make it a habit to check all of your transactions at least once a week.
💡Pro tip: Early detection can prevent losses and fraudulent activity.
4. Contact past employers and payroll departments
Accounts like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and employer-401(k)s may remain open.
- Ask current and past payroll or HR departments about any accounts maintained under your name.
- Review the details for any account you find to ensure you still have access or that it has been closed.
5. Search for unclaimed property
You can typically find abandoned or dormant accounts by searching unclaimed property databases. Visit the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) website to search across all 50 states. You can also track down unclaimed money via Missingmoney.com.
If you’re looking for past retirement accounts, you can search the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation’s (PBGC’s) database with your name and the last four digits of your social security number.
- You can also check your home state’s treasury or unclaimed property website.
- Claiming unclaimed money can help you recover forgotten savings or deposits.
Are you consolidating accounts, or do you need a new, better savings account? MoneyLion offers a convenient marketplace to compare high-yield savings accounts from our trusted partners that could help grow your money.
How to find out whether someone opened accounts in your name
The simplest way to find out whether someone opened an account in your name is to check your credit reports. They will list all accounts associated with your name and Social Security number. If you’ve already accessed your free credit report for the year, you could get that information from your bank, credit card issuer or financial institution if you have an account or pay for an additional credit report.
- Visit AnnualCreditReport.com – the only federally authorized website for free credit reports.
- Request reports from any or all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) – you’re entitled to one free report from each bureau every 12 months.
- Review and download your reports immediately, or receive them by mail.
You can also request a free copy of your banking accounts at Chexsystems.com to help you spot possible accounts opened in your name. Keep in mind that ChexSystems mostly deals with bank accounts, not credit reports.
What to do if you find a fraudulent account opened in your name
If you suspect someone opened an account in your name, here’s what you can do to prevent further damage.
1. Contact your bank or your credit card’s fraud department
Contact your bank or financial institution immediately if you suspect an account has been fraudulently opened in your name. Ask them for information about the account and explain that you suspect you may be a victim of fraud. Ask your bank or credit card issuer to either close or freeze the account.
2. Dispute any fraudulent charges
When you contact your bank or credit card issuer about suspicious accounts, you can speak with its customer service or fraud department to dispute fraudulent charges. You’ll need a copy of your statement to identify the exact details of the fraudulent charge.
3. Report the identity theft
Don’t hesitate to report identity fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through IdentityTheft.gov. This is an excellent resource for people seeking help handling identity theft or interested in taking preventive measures.
4. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze
Contact the three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. You can place a fraud alert or credit freeze on all three accounts. Closing or freezing your accounts can help prevent anyone from being able to add new charges to your account unless you approve them. Another good option is to add a fraud alert, which stays on your accounts for up to one year.
👉 Digital Security: Your Complete Protection Guide
How to manage and help prevent identity theft
If you suspect you’ve been a victim of identity theft, it’s important to check all areas of your finances. Here’s how to help protect your accounts and your personal information.
1. Close all suspicious accounts opened in your name
If you review your credit report and notice an account you didn’t open, it’s usually a good idea to contact the financial institution immediately. You’ll want to ask them for information about when and where the account was opened.
You will have to verify that the account was opened by someone else with the financial institution and ask them to close the account immediately. You might also consider placing a credit freeze or extended fraud alert on your account. This goes for bank accounts, personal loans, credit cards, and other financial accounts.
👉 How to Protect Personal Information Online
2. Double-check your debit and credit cards
More than anything, you will want to keep a close eye on your debit cards. With debit cards, you may become liable for the total charges that were made using your card.
Credit cards typically have greater protections regarding fraud and liability for unapproved charges, thanks to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep a close eye on your monthly statement.
👉 How to Protect Your Online Banking Information
3. Take action
If you suspect that you may be a victim of identity fraud or that someone opened an account in your name, the last thing you want to do is wait. Take action immediately.
Don’t wait to contact your banks and associated financial institutions to report suspicious activity. You can get the contact information of each credit bureau from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau here. You can also immediately update your passwords and other security information to protect your accounts.
👉What to Do if Someone Has Your Social Security Number
4. Safeguard your personal information
When it comes to protecting your identity, one good strategy is to set up multi-factor authentication on all your accounts or consider signing up for automated alerts every time a transaction occurs.
It’s also critical to regularly check your email and your physical mailbox. Getting into the habit of reviewing your bank statements can help you prevent potential damage by identity theft.
👉 What to Do if a Scammer Has Your Number
Protecting Yourself From Identity Fraud
Keeping track of the accounts in your name is a good financial management practice and can help you stop or fully prevent identity theft in its tracks. Remember that you’re entitled to a free copy of your credit reports every 12 months via www.annualcreditreport.com.
Likewise, many banks offer additional services to monitor your credit reports more frequently. Some accounting services, like TurboTax offer free identity tracking if you’ve paid for a premium service. You can look at your bank and credit card accounts and set up systems to monitor accounts regularly. Or, get MoneyLion’s credit monitoring service Credit Builder, which gives you credit insights and history, alerts, and a dashboard to track your credit easily.
PRO TIP! A good credit score can lead to lower interest rates and increased borrowing power on loans and credit cards. MoneyLion offers a free and convenient way to find offers from our trusted partners to help you improve your credit.
FAQs
How can you tell if someone opened a credit card in your name?
Call the bank or financial institution associated with the credit card you’re suspicious of to review the details. If it wasn’t you or someone you know who opened the credit card, you might be the victim of identity theft.
How can I check if a bank account exists?
You can check whether a bank account exists in your name by pulling your credit report or contacting a specific financial institution.
How can I find all accounts linked to my name?
Pulling your credit report will allow you to review all the accounts linked to your name and review all financial and personal information to ensure it’s reported correctly.
