SP'd with first initial *gasp*

[Anonymous]

The USPS needed to verify my account so they SP'd me. Then I realized my account only has my address and FIRST INITIAL. They definitely never had my last 4, much less the whole thing. Scary stuff.

[RobertEG]

In order to match the request with the proper consumer file, they need more than just a last name and first initial.

There would not, unless your last name is itself unique, such as "Xcvqtvbilson," be any likelihood on the part of the CRA of matching to the proper consumer.

Absent some additional semi-unique identifier that can be matched with a non-unique last name, the CRA will likely reject a request for a credit report.

It is likely that the requestor (i.e., the USPS) also provided some additional indentifier information, such as your postal address.

Last name, first initial, living at that unique postal address would in most cases provide a unique consumer in the matching atttempt at the CRA, unless multiple people were found at that address with the same first initial.

Is your Last Name, First Initial, plus your unique postal address, a unique combination?

If so, then the CRA may reasonably be able to fill the request.  However, if you are Robert and your spouse is Rachel, and both have files with the CRA processing the request, the CRA would likely reject......

[Anonymous]

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@RobertEG wrote:

In order to match the request with the proper consumer file, they need more than just a last name and first initial.

There would not, unless your last name is itself unique, such as "Xcvqtvbilson," be any likelihood on the part of the CRA of matching to the proper consumer.

Absent some additional semi-unique identifier that can be matched with a non-unique last name, the CRA will likely reject a request for a credit report.

It is likely that the requestor (i.e., the USPS) also provided some additional indentifier information, such as your postal address.

Last name, first initial, living at that unique postal address would in most cases provide a unique consumer in the matching atttempt at the CRA, unless multiple people were found at that address with the same first initial.

Is your Last Name, First Initial, plus your unique postal address, a unique combination?

If so, then the CRA may reasonably be able to fill the request.  However, if you are Robert and your spouse is Rachel, and both have files with the CRA processing the request, the CRA would likely reject......

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I'm sure they gave address, no doubt there. My first initial is unique, though I'm still rather surprised that they provided results based on first initial just on a security requirement. I did read that the USPS uses Equifax, so that may be part of it.