If you’ve spotted an account or name on your credit report that you don’t recognise, it may be because you’ve been matched to another person by mistake. This can happen due to a process called ‘fuzzy matching’, which credit reference agencies use to make sure data isn’t lost if a provider reports your details with a small error (for example, a typo in your name or address).
While it helps link accounts that belong to you, it can sometimes mistakenly connect data that doesn’t.
Why fuzzy matching can cause confusion
You may be incorrectly matched if:
• You and a family member share the same surname and address history
• You’re a twin with the same surname, birthday, and address history
• You rent or share a property with someone who has a similar first name
• You share a similar name or date of birth with someone who lives - or used to live - at your address
• You share both a similar name and date of birth with another person
What to do next
If you think fuzzy matching has caused an error on your report, you can raise a dispute with Equifax, our credit report provider.
Use our disputes contact form and select:
‘My credit report information’ → ‘Other names’.
Equifax will review your report and correct any inaccurate matches.