Credit reporting agencies and name changes

jeanla4c Posted: Jan 11, 2006 04:44 PM

Credit reporting agencies and name changes

This post was on a DC board I frequent and it got me thinking...anyone know anything about this?:

' I called Transunion, and they said that I just needed to switch my name with the credit card companies and then it would automatically be switched with them as well. Well, I ordered a free credit report to make sure, and sure enough, my name is changed, but I have NO credit history before Nov 2005 (when I changed my name). What to do? I've been building great credit for years and now it's like I never existed. Has anyone else looked into this? TIA!'

Sweetpea130000 Posted: Jan 11, 2006 04:48 PM

Re: Credit reporting agencies and name changes

you know I was wondering the other day if that happened. I am trying to get pre-approved for a mortgage for less money than I got pre-approved for before I changed my name and they said we aren't eligible.

I guess I will find out tonight when I talk to a human

jeanla4c Posted: Jan 11, 2006 04:50 PM

Re: Credit reporting agencies and name changes

Posted by Sweetpea130000

you know I was wondering the other day if that happened. I am trying to get pre-approved for a mortgage for less money than I got pre-approved for before I changed my name and they said we aren't eligible.

I guess I will find out tonight when I talk to a human

Please post what happens since I just went to Experian's website and it said:

Women who take their husband's surname after getting married need to notify the Social Security Administration and their current creditors of this change. You do not need to notify the credit reporting agencies of a name change. They will automatically update the name on a credit report when creditors report it.

But I am worried---better pull my credit report soon.

Blu-ize Posted: Jan 11, 2006 04:50 PM

Re: Credit reporting agencies and name changes

I hope this helps. Free credit reports are not as detailed and may not have a name change history. When you apply for credit, most companies ask for an aka or maiden name. Usually just pulling up a ss# should do it though. I would contact Transunion or whichever report you have.

Sweetpea130000 Posted: Jan 11, 2006 04:51 PM

Re: Credit reporting agencies and name changes

I will definitely let you know.

I have changed my name on all but 1 credit card, so it should work out, I hope.

jeanla4c Posted: Jan 11, 2006 04:53 PM

Re: Credit reporting agencies and name changes

Posted by Blu-ize

I hope this helps. Free credit reports are not as detailed and may not have a name change history. When you apply for credit, most companies ask for an aka or maiden name. Usually just pulling up a ss# should do it though. I would contact Transunion or whichever report you have.

Thanks, that is helpful!!!

SomethingBlu Posted: Jan 11, 2006 04:54 PM

Re: Credit reporting agencies and name changes

Posted by Blu-ize

I hope this helps. Free credit reports are not as detailed and may not have a name change history. When you apply for credit, most companies ask for an aka or maiden name. Usually just pulling up a ss# should do it though. I would contact Transunion or whichever report you have.

This is true. I appear as maiden name and married name on different reports. However, this didn't matter when we were getting pre-approved for our mortgage since they go by your SS# and the report is much more detailed.