Fixing Identity Mix-Ups on Business Credit Reports

Why this matters

An identity mix-up on a business credit report can show another company’s late payments, collections, or public filings on your profile. That can lead to loan denials, higher rates, and damaged vendor relationships. Business bureaus and lenders rely on identifiers like your legal business name, DBA, EIN, address, and D‑U‑N‑S number—when these are wrong or ambiguous, errors happen (Experian; Dun & Bradstreet; Equifax).

Step-by-step checklist to fix a mix-up

1. Pull all business credit reports immediately

• Order copies from the major business credit providers (Experian Business, Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax Business). Review: trade lines, public records, payment history, and identifiers.
• Use our guide to read key fields on a small-business credit report: How to Interpret a Small-Business Credit Report: Key Metrics Explained.

1. Identify the exact mismatch

• Note which fields are wrong (name, DBA, EIN, address, trade line owner). Capture screenshots and save PDF copies of the report showing the error.

1. Gather supporting documents

• Articles of incorporation / formation
• IRS EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) or recent IRS correspondence
• State business registration and DBA filings
• Utility or lease statements that prove your current address
• Recent invoices or bank statements that prove account ownership

1. File a formal dispute with the reporting agency

• Submit a written dispute to the bureau that shows the error. Include a concise cover letter explaining the mix-up, the incorrect items, and the documents that prove your business identity.
• Provide copies (not originals) and request a written confirmation and case number.

1. Notify the data furnishers (lenders, trade partners)

• Contact the original creditor or vendor that reported the incorrect trade lines. Ask them to correct the submission and send confirmation to the reporting agency.

1. Track timelines and responses

• Business bureaus’ investigative processes vary; many complete investigations in ~30 days after receiving documentation, but there’s no single federal deadline for business-only files (processes differ from consumer reporting under the FCRA). Keep records of all calls, emails, and dates.

1. Verify corrections and update lenders

• Once corrected, pull fresh reports from each bureau. Send the corrected report or bureau confirmation to lenders or vendors that previously relied on the bad report.

When to escalate

• If a lender denies credit because of incorrect information, get the denial in writing and send it with your dispute packet.
• If disputes don’t resolve after repeated attempts, consider a business attorney experienced in commercial reporting or data accuracy cases.
• For mixed consumer-business identity issues or suspected identity theft, you can consult the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for guidance (CFPB) and consider a formal complaint if processes stall.

Common mistakes owners make

• Waiting too long to check reports—errors compound and harm financing options.
• Sending incomplete documents (e.g., an invoice that doesn’t show owner information).
• Assuming consumer-credit protections (FCRA) fully apply to business credit—business reporting rules and remedies differ.

Prevention tips (practical measures)

• Standardize how you list your company on all accounts: exact legal name, consistent DBA, and the same address format.
• Use your EIN on all business credit applications—avoid using personal SSN for business accounts when possible.
• Register for a D‑U‑N‑S number and keep the record current (Dun & Bradstreet).
• Enroll in a monitoring service and set alerts so you spot changes quickly; see our steps for building business credit separately from personal credit: Building Business Credit Separately from Personal Credit.

Further reading and resources

• For a structured dispute approach and evidence collection, see our detailed dispute workflow: Credit Reports and Scores: How to Dispute Inaccuracies on Business Credit Reports.
• Major business bureau guidance pages: Experian Business, Dun & Bradstreet (D‑U‑N‑S), Equifax Business (visit each bureau’s dispute center for submission instructions).

Professional note

In my experience working with small businesses, a clear dispute packet and simultaneous contact with both the reporting bureau and the original data furnisher produce the fastest results. Document every step—lenders are more likely to reverse a decision when you supply bureau confirmations and corrected reports.

Disclaimer

This article is educational and not legal or financial advice. For persistent reporting errors that materially harm your business, consult a qualified attorney or financial advisor. For consumer-facing credit issues, see guidance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).