How To Fix Wrong Name On My Equifax Credit Report?

The name error appears in the personal‑information header of your Equifax credit report.

1. Log into how to view your Equifax credit report or open the free annual PDF; the first page lists 'Personal Information.'
2. Locate the line that shows your name exactly as Equifax recorded it; note every letter, space, hyphen, or accent.
3. Retrieve a government‑issued ID (driver's license, passport, or birth certificate) and write down the name format it displays.
4. Compare the two strings character by by; record the precise discrepancy - e.g., 'Jonh' versus 'John,' missing hyphen in 'Smith‑Jones,' or omitted accent in 'José.'
5. Capture the faulty line with a screenshot or printout; you'll need this exact wording for the next step, where you determine if the issue is a typo, an alias, or a mixed file.

Determine whether the wrong name on your Equifax credit report is a simple typo, a legitimate alias, or a mixed‑up file.

• Compare the misspelled entry to official IDs (driver's license, passport); a single character error usually signals a typo.
• Look for variations of your legal name (e.g., 'Bob' vs. 'Robert'); if the alternate appears on past bills or loan documents, it's likely an alias you've used.
• Search your report for another consumer's personal details (different birthdate, Social Security number); matching those clues indicates someone else's file has merged with yours.
• Pull a recent utility or bank statement that shows your exact name spelling; match it against the Equifax entry to confirm the discrepancy.
• If you spot an alias or mixed file, note it now because the next section - 'Will a wrong name affect your credit score or loan chances' - explains the impact before you file a dispute.

A wrong name on your Equifax credit report does not lower the numeric score, but it can hurt loan chances because lenders compare the name on your application to the name on file and may flag a mismatch for manual review or fraud suspicion. That extra scrutiny can delay approval, increase required documentation, or lead a creditor to deny the loan outright.

Since you already located the error in the 'find the exact name error' step, the next logical move is to place a fraud alert or freeze on your file (see the upcoming 'place a fraud alert or freeze' section) while you file a dispute to correct the name and prevent future mismatches.

If a misspelled or duplicate name might let an impostor open accounts, put a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your Equifax file immediately. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before extending credit, while a freeze stops anyone - including you - until you lift it with a PIN or password. Follow these steps to add protection before you move on to gathering the five documents Equifax accepts for name corrections.

Equifax will accept any five of these documents to verify a name correction.

• Government‑issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
• Social Security card that displays the correct name
• Utility or phone bill showing your current address
• Bank or credit‑card statement dated within the last 30 days
• Legal name‑change document, such as a marriage certificate or court order

You can lodge an online dispute with Equifax in just a few clicks.

1. Go to Equifax's dispute portal and sign in with your account or create one using your Social Security number and a photo ID.
2. Choose 'Start a new dispute' and select the credit report that shows the wrong name.
3. Click the checkbox next to the name entry, then click 'Explain why you're disputing.' Type a brief note such as 'Incorrect name - should be John A. Doe.'
4. Upload the five supporting documents you gathered earlier (e.g., government ID, utility bill, marriage certificate). Acceptable formats are PDF, JPG, or PNG, each under 5 MB.
5. Review the summary, confirm that the dispute description matches the documents, and hit 'Submit.'
6. Record the reference number displayed on the confirmation screen; Equifax will email a copy to you.
7. Expect an investigation within 30 days. You'll receive the results by email and can view the updated report in your online account.

Proceed to the next section for mailing a certified dispute if you prefer a paper trail.

Mail a certified dispute to Equifax and attach every required document so the agency can verify the correct name.

• A signed, one‑page dispute letter stating the error, your full correct name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• A clear copy of a government‑issued photo ID (driver's license or passport).
• A recent utility bill, bank statement, or government correspondence that shows the same address as the ID.
• A Social Security Administration statement or the front and back of your Social Security card confirming the correct name.
• Legal proof of the name change - either a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court‑issued name‑change order.

Send the package by certified mail, return receipt requested, to Equifax, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374. Include a self‑addressed stamped envelope for their reply. After mailing, monitor the tracking number and await the 30‑ to 45‑day response window before moving on to the next step of obtaining a court order when a legal name‑change document is needed.

Obtain a court order or name‑change certificate that legally confirms your new spelling, then attach that document to the Equifax credit report dispute. A court order typically comes from a local judge after you file a petition; a name‑change certificate is issued by the state vital records office once your name‑change petition is approved. Both must display your former name, the corrected name, and the issuance date.

When you file the dispute (see the 'file your online dispute' section), include a clear photocopy of the order or certificate, a brief cover note referencing your dispute ID, and any other required items listed earlier. Upload the files through the online portal or mail them certified; Equifax may take 30 - 45 days to process the update.

If the document is rejected, request a corrected version from the court or vital records office. For state‑specific filing steps, consult state name change procedures. This prepares you for the next step of unmerging a mixed credit file.

You separate a mixed file by disputing every account that isn't yours and proving it belongs to another consumer.

1. Pull your latest Equifax credit report and highlight each account that you never opened.
2. Gather your personal ID (driver's license or passport) and a proof‑of‑address document (utility bill, bank statement).
3. Collect evidence that the highlighted accounts are not yours - this can be a simple statement that you never authorized them, or any documentation showing the other person's relationship to the accounts.
4. File a dispute  -  online or via certified mail  -  select the standard 'Incorrect information' option, list each wrong account, and attach your ID plus the evidence from step 3.
5. If mailing, include a cover letter, copies of all documents, and a return‑receipt request.
6. Equifax must investigate within 30 days; review the results and, if the file is still merged, request a re‑investigation and consider adding a consumer statement.

Proceed to the next section on correcting name accents and hyphens once the file is clean.

Check the official FICO website to confirm any phone number, email or address before you reach out. The FICO contact page lists the current corporate headquarters address (1500 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005) and the main phone line (202‑734‑2000); any other numbers or email domains not ending in @fico.com are likely scams.

When you verify a contact, watch for these red flags:

• Unsolicited calls claiming to 'fix' your credit score for a fee
• Emails from free‑mail services or misspelled 'ficorisk.com' domains
• Requests for payment before a score dispute - real disputes go through the three credit bureaus, not FICO

If a source fails any of these checks, cross‑reference it with the official page or the FTC consumer scam guide before responding.

Now that you can spot legitimate FICO contacts, the next section explains how to send legal notices and subpoenas to the company.

If Equifax leaves the wrong name on your credit report after you've completed the online or certified dispute, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state attorney general.

Submit the CFPB complaint at consumerfinance.gov/complaint, attaching the dispute reference number, copies of the five accepted documents, and any response you received; the agency typically forwards the issue to Equifax and may request a resolution within 30 days.

Contact your state attorney general through the directory at usa.gov/state-attorney-general, upload the same dispute packet, and request an investigation; the AG's office can issue a subpoena or take enforcement action if the credit bureau continues to ignore the correction.