Dispute the incorrect personal information with each bureau that shows it, the same way you dispute an account, and include ID and proof of address. Unfamiliar names, addresses, or SSNs can signal a mixed file or identity theft, so check accounts too.
The identifying section of a credit report lists names, addresses, Social Security number, date of birth, and sometimes employers. The FCRA’s dispute right covers “any item of information” in your file (15 U.S.C. § 1681i(a)(1)), so personal information can be disputed just like an account.
Why personal information errors matter
Some variations are harmless, such as a missing middle initial or an old address you really lived at. Others are warning signs:
- A name you have never used or a relative’s name (Jr./Sr.).
- An address where you never lived.
- A different Social Security number or a different date of birth.
- An employer you never worked for.
These can indicate that someone else’s information has been merged into your file (a mixed file) or that someone is using your identity (identity theft). Bureaus must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy about the person a report relates to (§ 1681e(b)).
How to dispute it
- Get your reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com and compare the personal information sections.
- Dispute each incorrect entry online or by mail. State your correct full legal name, current address, prior addresses for the last two years, date of birth, and Social Security number, and list each entry that is not yours.
- Prove identity. Include copies of a government ID, a Social Security card or other SSN document if appropriate, and a recent utility bill or bank statement showing your address.
- Review the accounts too. Any account, inquiry, or public record tied to the wrong name, address, or SSN should be disputed at the same time.
- Keep copies and proof of mailing.
Practical notes
- Bureaus may keep accurate former addresses and name variations you actually used.
- Your personal information should be the same at all three bureaus once corrected; check each one.
- Correcting a stray address alone does not remove accounts that came with it, so dispute those specifically.
If the wrong information is attached to accounts or debts that are not yours and the bureau will not separate them, a free case review can help, with no fee unless we win.
Related
- Mixed file cases
- Identity theft cases
- How to Dispute Credit Report Errors With Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
Sources
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681i — Procedure in case of disputed accuracy (Cornell LII)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b) — Accuracy of report (Cornell LII)
- FTC — Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports
- CFPB — How do I dispute an error on my credit report?
Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.