D&B's New Security Protocol May Keep You from Accessing Your Company's Data

D&B has completed an online data security upgrade, effectively putting an end to their iUpdate and Company Update platforms. The new security procedures could prohibit you from being able to access the raw data in your D&B credit profile. Unless you are subscribed to a Creditbuilder or other paid service, there is now only one way to view the data in your D&B file: DUNS Manager

D&B's new security process requires that specific owner's information be entered into the system to verify a principal's identity in order to gain access to the site — and they'll need to undergo an intense security process that requires answers to third-party identity verification questions.

To submit updates or launch slow payment disputes using DUNS Manager...

• Go to D&B's website

• In the navigation menu, hover over D-U-N-S Number

• From the drop-down panel, choose Update my Company Data

• In the drop-down, choose "I have a U.S.-based business"

• Fill in your business name, address, and phone and click "Search"

• Find your company in the list and click on "View / Update Company Information"

• Click "Continue"

• Create a new login (or) Scroll down and click on Login to use an existing one

• Fill in your personal information and click "Continue"

• Answer the five security questions

• Go through each of the pages to update data or dispute slow payments

• Review and submit your changes

• YOU MUST COMPLETE THE BELOW PROCESS TO SAVE YOUR ACCESS SETTINGS

  • In the upper-right corner, click the "man" icon and click on "Return to Dashboard"

  • Scroll down and ACCEPT the Terms and Conditions

You need to know, however, that you will have access to very limited information in this system, such as basic raw data (and not all of it) and a very limited review of the payments in the file (without industry identifiers).

Printing or saving a copy of the file is not permitted through the new portal, and it is intended for making changes only, not for daily maintenance or monitoring of the status of your file.

Judging from how much my phone has been ringing since the new system went online, it appears the security questions have been the most difficult hurdle to get beyond, even for seasoned and savvy business principals.

D&B's ultimate goal is, of course, to entice every business owner to either pay for a service that allows them to see the raw data that impacts their scores and ratings, or remain blind to their commercial credit file altogether. D&B's paid services currently range from $14.09/month to tens of thousands per year.

If you need help accessing your file via D&B's new DUNS Manager, give me a call. I can usually help you get access within just a few minutes, and the assistance is FREE!