Experian Account Hacked? What to Do?

Lock down your Experian account now by securing the login and cutting off any active sessions.

1. Sign in at Experian.com, go to Profile > Security, and create a new password that is at least 12 characters, includes upper‑ and lower‑case letters, numbers, and a symbol.
2. Choose Log out of all devices; Experian will terminate every browser and app session tied to your credentials.
3. Review the Recent Activity log for unfamiliar IP addresses or locations; note any suspicious entries for the support call covered in the next section.
4. Update or remove saved security questions that could be guessed; use answers that are not publicly linked to you.
5. If you use a password manager, replace the stored Experian entry with the new password to prevent accidental reuse.

These actions seal the immediate breach and set the stage for the two‑step verification setup discussed next.

Reset the Experian password now and turn on two-step verification to lock out the attacker.

• Choose a random 12‑plus‑character password that mixes upper‑case, lower‑case, numbers, and symbols; avoid reuse across other sites.
• Replace security‑question answers with information that isn't on your credit report or public profiles.
• Enable two-step verification in Experian's security settings and select an authenticator app for the second factor (How to set up two‑step verification on Experian).
• Log out of every device, then sign back in using the new credentials to terminate any lingering sessions.
• Scan the recent‑activity log for unknown IP addresses or devices; flag any suspicious entries before proceeding to 'Secure linked bank accounts, apps, and shared logins.'

Secure your linked bank accounts, apps, and shared logins immediately after an Experian breach.

• Change the password on every financial institution portal; use a unique, long phrase and enable two‑factor authentication (SMS or authenticator app).
• Review the 'Authorized Devices' or 'Connected Apps' sections on each bank's website; remove any you don't recognize.
• Revoke third‑party permissions (e.g., budgeting tools, payment apps) that were granted through your Experian account.
• Set up transaction alerts via email or text to catch unauthorized activity the moment it occurs.
• Switch shared logins (family or business accounts) to individual credentials; avoid using the same password across multiple services.
• Consider a reputable password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.
• Verify that your bank's security questions aren't answers you posted publicly or on social media.

These actions tighten the digital perimeter around your finances and pave the way for the next step - contacting Experian support and documenting every interaction. For more on protecting bank accounts, see the FTC guide to safeguarding financial information.

Call Experian at 1‑888‑397‑3742, start a live chat on the Experian support page, or send a secure message through your account dashboard. Have your account number, recent fraud alerts, and a copy of the breach email ready so the agent can verify ownership immediately.

After every call or chat, write down the date, time, representative's name, reference or ticket number, and a brief note of what was resolved; store this log in a spreadsheet or a password‑manager note. A detailed record lets you prove what was promised if you later dispute fraudulent accounts while you move on to scanning your credit report for new inquiries.

Pull your Experian, Equifax and TransUnion reports now and scan each for unfamiliar accounts or recent inquiries.

• Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to download the free reports from all three bureaus.
• Open the 'Personal Information' section; verify your name, address, Social Security number and birthdate are correct.
• Review the 'Account Summary' list; flag any creditor, loan, or credit‑card you never opened.
• Check the 'Inquiries' tab; note any hard pull you did not initiate.
• Write down the creditor name, account number and inquiry date for any suspect entry; you'll need this when you place a fraud alert or dispute later.

Place a fraud alert with all three credit bureaus by contacting Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion online or by phone; each bureau will add the alert to your file for at least 90 days after you verify your identity. Use the same personal details you entered when you reset passwords and enabled two‑step verification, and keep the confirmation numbers they provide for future reference.

Quick links: Experian fraud alert request, Equifax identity theft center, TransUnion fraud alert page.

With the fraud alert active, watch your credit reports for unexpected activity and consider upgrading to a credit freeze or an Experian Lock for stronger, longer‑term protection; both options will be covered in the next section.

A credit freeze blocks all access to your credit file at all three bureaus, while an Experian Lock restricts only Experian's view of your file.

A credit freeze stops lenders, landlords, and scammers from pulling any report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion until you lift it with a PIN or password; it costs nothing, remains in place indefinitely, and appears on your report as a 'freeze' that any inquiry must bypass. To set one up, visit the official consumer‑finance site and follow the 'how to place a credit freeze' instructions, then repeat the process with Equifax and TransUnion.

The main downside is the extra step of contacting each bureau before a legitimate credit check, which can delay loan approvals or new accounts.

An Experian Lock sits inside your Experian account, toggles on or off instantly via the mobile app or website, and does not affect Equifax or TransUnion reports; it lets you block new Experian inquiries while keeping your file visible to existing creditors. Activate it by selecting 'Experian Lock in your account,' then use a simple PIN to unlock for a specific lender.

The lock costs a small monthly fee (or is free for some credit‑monitoring plans) and can be turned off in seconds, but it leaves your Equifax and TransUnion files exposed to potential fraud.

Consider a credit freeze if you expect no legitimate credit activity soon, and add an Experian Lock if you need quick, reversible control over Experian‑only access while you monitor the other bureaus in later sections.

Dispute fraudulent accounts on Experian quickly by filing an online dispute backed with proof.

1. Log into your Experian account and open the Experian online dispute portal.
2. Locate the unauthorized entry and click 'I'm a victim of identity theft.'
3. Attach copies of your government ID, the FTC Identity Theft Report, and any police report you filed after the fraud alert and credit freeze.
4. Submit the dispute; Experian must begin its investigation within 30 days.
5. Monitor the case status in the portal and respond to any requests for additional information promptly.
6. If Experian denies the dispute, add a brief consumer statement to your credit file and contact the creditor directly with the same documentation.
7. Save every email, screenshot, and case number; you'll need them when you move on to forcing removal of fraudulent debts.

Force removal means getting the original creditor or collection agency to delete a fraudulent charge from their records after you prove identity theft.

The process starts by calling the creditor's fraud department, citing the FTC Identity Theft Report (you can file it online at the FTC), and attaching a copy of the police report. Request a written 'debt‑validation' response and state that the debt is not yours; under the Fair Credit Reporting Act the creditor must investigate and, if they confirm fraud, remove the charge. Follow up with a certified‑mail letter that includes: (1) your full name and Experian account reference, (2) the identity‑theft affidavit, (3) the police report number, and (4) a clear demand for deletion.

Keep a copy of every email and note the date of each phone call. If the creditor refuses, escalate to the collection agency with the same documents and remind them that a disputed item will be flagged during the 'dispute fraudulent accounts on Experian quickly' step later. Once the creditor confirms removal, verify the change on your Experian report and on the reports of the other two credit bureaus.

Dispute errors on your Experian credit report with this exact five‑step process.

1. Gather evidence - Download a PDF of your Experian credit report, highlight each inaccurate item, and collect supporting documents (bank statements, credit‑card statements, or court records).
2. Choose a submission method - Use the online dispute portal for fastest processing, call Experian's dispute line (1‑888‑397‑3742), or prepare a written letter sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.
3. Write a clear statement - For each error, state the item, why it's wrong, and attach the corresponding proof. Keep language factual and concise; do not include unrelated disputes.
4. Submit and track - Upload files or mail the letter, then note the case number. Experian must investigate within 30 days and will email you the results.
5. Review the outcome - When the updated Experian credit report arrives, verify that the disputed items are corrected. If an error remains, repeat the process or add a statement of dispute to the record.

• If a child, business, or joint Experian account was hacked, follow the targeted actions below.
• Children under 16 normally have no credit file; protect the child's SSN, scan Experian for unauthorized inquiries, and if a file exists place a fraud alert (or a credit freeze) with all three credit bureaus to stop further misuse.
• For a hacked business Experian account, contact the IRS to verify the existing EIN, complete the IRS Identity Theft Affidavit, and work with all three credit bureaus to flag and dispute fraudulent business listings - do not obtain a new EIN unless the entity is being closed.
• For a compromised joint Experian account, each co‑owner should place a fraud alert with all three credit bureaus, consider a credit freeze or Experian Lock, and monitor both personal reports for new accounts or inquiries.
• After securing the specific account, continue the standard remediation steps already covered - reset passwords, enable two‑step verification, and file FTC identity theft reports - to protect the overall credit profile.