Clean Up Your Personal Information (so disputes actually stick)Why today matters
Before you tackle accounts, fix the foundation: your personal information section. Outdated addresses, misspelled names, or random employers can make it easier for the bureaus to “match” you with accounts that aren’t yours—or keep reporting stuff you already fixed. A tidy profile helps future disputes land better.Your Day-4 checklist
Pull fresh reports (all 3): Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. Save each as a PDF and name them clearly (e.g., 2026-01-18_Equifax.pdf).
Highlight ONLY what’s current and correct:
Legal name (watch for extra middle initials or hyphen errors)
Current address (exact unit # if applicable)
Current employer (optional—doesn’t affect scores)
Current phone/email (if shown)
Circle the junk:
Old/incorrect addresses and P.O. boxes
Name variations you don’t use
Wrong or stale employers
Duplicate personal entries
Decide what to remove vs. keep:
Keep one clean current address.
Remove all old/incorrect addresses, name variations you don’t use, and wrong employers.How to request corrections (simple script)
Send a short, focused letter (one bureau per letter). Keep it factual and calm.Subject: Request to Correct Personal Information
Body (sample):
I’m requesting correction of my personal identifying information. Please retain only the current items listed below and delete the rest as inaccurate or outdated.
Keep:
• Name: [Your correct legal name]
• Current Address: [Your correct address]
Delete:
• Former/Incorrect Addresses: [List them exactly as shown]
• Name Variations: [List them]
• Employers: [List any to remove]Attach clear copies of:
Government-issued photo ID (name matches your “keep” name)
Proof of current address (recent utility bill, bank statement, lease—full name + address visible)Send by mail (track it), or upload via each bureau’s online portal. Save confirmations and screenshots in a “Day-4 Personal Info” folder.Pro tips
Match formatting exactly as it appears on the report (ALL CAPS, unit numbers, abbreviations).
One ask per line item. Don’t mix personal-info corrections with account disputes—handle accounts on later days.
Opt out of data brokers (optional but helpful). This reduces how fast old data crawls back.What success looks like
Within ~30 days, your reports should show:
One clean legal name
One current address (with the correct unit)
No zombie employers
No random duplicate personal entriesThis reduces false “matches,” makes you look more stable to underwriters, and sets you up for stronger results when you challenge accounts later in the challenge.Quick FAQ
Q: Do old addresses help verify old accounts?
A: Yep—another reason to cut them. If an old address ties you to a collection you’re disputing, removing that address can reduce auto-verification friction.Q: Will removing employers help my score?
A: Employers don’t affect scores, but cleaning them improves data hygiene and underwriting optics.Q: Can I leave employer blank?
A: Yes. It’s optional.Your Day-4 action recap
Pull all three reports and mark keep vs delete items.
Send short correction requests to each bureau with ID + address proof.
File everything in a Day-4 folder for easy follow-up.Tomorrow, you’ll be ready to tackle accounts with a cleaner, stronger foundation. 💪