You are on a clean slate with your credit; all of your loans are paid off, you never miss any payments, and you have never came close to going over your credit limit. Suddenly, when you get your first credit report you get an abrupt smack in the mouth as you realize that it definitely does not make sense. Not only could your report have gotten confused with a relative or someone with a similar name, but it could be a result of identity theft miles away.

Yes, Virginia, other people can affect your credit report. Whether your name has been used maliciously through identity theft or accidently paired with someone else’s, your credit score has taken on a life of its own. Before you panic, take a deep breath and determine what has happened.

How does this happen? There are many different ways. Most of these though are through mix ups with the report. This means that they someone cross referenced your information with someone who has a closely related name; which ultimately results in an awkward score that can be easily disputed. However, if this does happen to you; remember to get your credit report more regularly in case it does not get fixed right away.

Your credit history includes credit cards taken out before you were 18: When you were growing up, your parents may have given you a credit card in your name for “emergencies only” that was tied to their own credit cards. Whether or not you used it properly (remember those “emergency” CD purchases?), if your parents did not pay the bill, you are in a credit emergency of your own. This is an issue that you should be able to dispute, but it takes a little more time.

Your credit/identity has been stolen: Just like your cousin with the same name, that cable bill in another state may be a coincidence, especially if you have a common name. However, it is also possible that your identity has been stolen. In addition to disputing the charges on your credit report IMMEDIATELY, you should take some other actions.

One of the first things to do is to look at your credit cards and bank accounts to make sure that nothing has been taken out without your authorization. If you find that there are fraudulent withdrawals, you again need to get in touch with the credit card company and/or bank IMMEDIATELY to put a hold on your account.

If this happens or an identity mix up, sometimes it is best to file a report with your state and the FTC, or Federal Trade Commission. This ultimately shows the credit report agencies you mean business with their mistakes and want them corrected as soon as possible. Not only will it save you the trouble of dealing with the credit report agencies but it can also help other people who are suffering the same issues.

So now you know how other people can mangle your perfect credit score. What does it all mean? Overall, you should always be very cautious when talking about your finances and should keep your information and account data secure at all times. One small account number can lead to a world of problems; so be safe to keep your credit score safe.