If you got a message from a free score site saying, ‘Your personal information doesn’t match credit bureau files,’ you might wonder what to review and change before trying again.
A good doctor will find out what is wrong before suggesting a cure. In the same way, you must find the mismatch before you try to fix it.
The bureau can’t find your credit report until you have one. If you don’t have a report, apply for a first-time loan or credit card.
Matching records with your identifying information is complex. If you have opened accounts before, fix data errors at reporting companies.
Diagnosing Data Matching Issues
First, discover why your personal identifying information doesn’t match credit bureau files. You might not have a record yet, or data errors might cause problems with existing accounts.
No Record
Credit bureaus can’t match your personal information until a lender reports your account activity. You have no record until you start borrowing.
At age 18, you don’t have a credit score because the agencies have no information until a lender reports your account. You must apply for and open a borrowing account to provide the bureau with information.
- Hard Inquiry: includes name, address, social security number, and date of birth (identifying data)
- New Trade Line: includes identifying data, account type, date opened, amount owed, payment status, etc.
Data Anomalies
Data variations can make your identifying information not match credit bureau files. The agencies use software to combine data from many sources into one record for each person.
But this goal is impossible. Identity info changes, data entry mistakes happen, and standards vary. The software must handle these issues while reducing three error types:
- Merged files: data from two or more people in one file.
- Split files: data from one person in two or more files.
- Unfound files: the software can’t find a confident match.
Name Changes
Name variations make it impossible for credit bureaus to match records perfectly. Marriages, divorces, nicknames, and ethnic customs cause errors as people apply for credit over time.
Surnames
Many women change their last name after marriage. Some take their husband’s last name, some add a hyphen, and some return to their maiden name after divorce. For example, one woman could have three credit accounts with different legal last names:
- Lender 1: Mary Smith
- Lender 2: Mary Bond
- Lender 3: Mary Smith-Bond
Nicknames
Many people use nicknames instead of their legal first name. For example, someone could cause errors by using different names on credit applications:
- Lender 1: Michael Smith
- Lender 2: Mike Smith
- Lender 3: Mikey Smith
Ethnic Names
People from different ethnic backgrounds have unique naming conventions. They sometimes change these to fit US cultural standards.
- Hispanics have two Apellidos, one from their father and one from their mother.
- Chinese put their last names first and their given names second.
- Indian naming conventions vary by region, religion, and caste.
Address Issues
Address changes and format issues make it hard for credit bureaus to match records accurately.
- People change addresses often. The US Census Bureau says Americans move twelve times on average. Many people don’t immediately tell lenders or the USPS Change of Address system. This omission makes the following example commonplace:
- Lender 1: reports an old address for a person
- Lender 2: reports a new address for the same person
- Reported addresses don’t always follow USPS standards for street name, number, type, prefix, suffix, unit type, unit number, Zip code, and state. Non-standard entries match poorly.
Date of Birth
Date of Birth (DOB) errors cause matching problems even though the date stays the same over time. DOB errors like swapped digits in the day, month, or year make it hard to tell if records are for the same person.
Social Security Number
Social Security Number (SSN) errors cause huge matching problems because each person has a unique nine-digit SSN.
The bureaus rely more on the SSN in their matching systems because it is unique. Any data entry errors from lenders cast uncertainty about your identity.
Resolving Data Matching Issues
Once you find the problem, you can start fixing it. Increase the chances that your personal identifying information will match credit bureau files in future submissions.
Establishing a Record
Your personal information won’t match credit bureau records until you have an account with a reporting lender. A credit report doesn’t appear when you turn eighteen.
Open an account to fix the problem. Here are some options:
- Open an installment loan for people with no credit history
- Apply for a secured credit card from a well-known bank
- Report utility bills and rental payments to build a record
Correcting Anomalies
The credit bureaus may not find your file because your identifying information has errors in your name, address, date of birth, or social security number. These errors may come from the lender or your original submission.
These errors may originate from the lender or your original submission.
- Check your first submission for any data entry errors. Fix any mistakes in your subsequent request.
- Check recent bills from every lender, utility company, or rental agency reporting to the bureaus. Look for errors in your name, address, date of birth, or social security number.
- Contact customer service at each company to fix any errors. Wait at least 45 days for the updates to affect your report.
