Q: How do I find out if someone has filed bankruptcy in my name?

A: Go to pacer.uscourts.gov, create an account, and perform a search. Background check websites might just be picking up the name as affiliated with bankruptcy, or another person with the same name. Go to the official government website, Pacer, and search to find out. There may be other people with your same name, so you'll want to search for the last 4 digits of your SSN.

A: A agree with Ms. Lipan's answer, as far as it goes.

If you find that someone has "stolen your identity" to file a bankruptcy case, notify the Office of the US Trustee in the federal district in which the case was filed. From my interactions with the US Trustee's office in the Philly District, I'm aware that the US Trustee was all over this issue 15-20 years ago, and they are quite familiar with how it all works.

A: My colleagues have covered the issues and encourage you to handle as recommended.

A: If you suspect that someone has filed for bankruptcy in your name, you can take the following steps to verify and address the issue:

Check your credit report: You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once a year. Reviewing your credit report can help you identify any accounts or activities that you did not authorize. If you see any suspicious activity, you can dispute it with the credit bureau.

Contact the bankruptcy court: You can search for bankruptcy records by contacting the bankruptcy court where you believe the filing took place. You may need to provide your identification and personal information to verify your identity and request access to the records.

File a police report: If you believe that someone has fraudulently used your identity to file for bankruptcy, you can file a police report with your local law enforcement agency. This can help you document the fraud and provide evidence to support your case.

Contact a bankruptcy attorney: If you believe that you have been the victim of identity theft or fraud, you may want to consult with a bankruptcy attorney to help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights.

In California, you can also contact the California Attorney General's Office or the California Department of Justice for additional resources and support.