EDD CA: E311 error due to 20-year-old name misspelling - How to fix OTEC issue?
Has anyone else had trouble with their unemployment claim because of a name spelling error from years ago? I'm trying to register as a claimant but keep getting an E311 error. Tech support said it's an OTEC issue because my last name was misspelled on a claim from like 20 years ago. The current application has the correct spelling, but the system won't let me proceed. Any advice on how to fix this?
61 comments


Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve EDD name spelling error issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u7FdbHEXNc
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
I found a way to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
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Caleb Bell
β’Sounds sketchy. Is it legit?
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
β’Totally legit. I was skeptical too, but it saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny.
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Danielle Campbell
β’$20 just to talk to someone? The system is so broken π‘
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Rhett Bowman
β’While Claimyr can be a useful tool, it's important to weigh the cost against potential savings in time. It's unfortunate that such tools are necessary in the first place.
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Harper Collins
Ugh, the EDD system is such a mess. I had a similar issue with my middle name being wrong from an old claim. Took me weeks to get it sorted out. You'll probably need to talk to someone directly to fix it.
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Kelsey Hawkins
β’I feel you. It's frustrating how these systems don't have mechanisms to correct long-standing errors quickly. Hope you get it sorted out soon.
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Jackie Martinez
This is why we need a complete overhaul of the unemployment system. It's ridiculous that errors from decades ago can cause such headaches. Vote for politicians who prioritize updating these outdated systems!
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Lia Quinn
β’Updating the system is crucial. Hopefully, changes are on the horizon with the right political push.
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Alfredo Lugo
This is why I always tell people to keep records of EVERYTHING. Even stuff from 20 years ago can come back to haunt you. Good luck, OP. You're gonna need it dealing with EDD π
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Sydney Torres
β’It's like they say, the devil's in the details. Keeping records is essential, especially with systems that are known to be troublesome.
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Landon Morgan
This happened to my cousin too! He ended up having to file an appeal and it took forever. Hopefully you can get it sorted out faster. Sending good vibes your way! β€οΈ
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Teresa Boyd
β’Appeals can be lengthy, but they can also be an effective solution. Hang in there!
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Haley Stokes
Hey OP, just wanted to say don't give up! I had a similar issue and it took me 3 months to resolve, but I finally got it fixed. You got this! πͺ
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Asher Levin
β’Persistence is key! It's encouraging to hear success stories.
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Mohamed Anderson
Bruh, I feel you. EDD's system is like using Internet Explorer in 2023 π€£ Maybe try sacrificing a goat to the unemployment gods? Couldn't hurt at this point π
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Ellie Perry
β’Ha! Humorous takes like this are what keep us going during frustrating times. I hope things get resolved soon!
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Kelsey Hawkins
The E311 error typically indicates a data discrepancy issue, often related to mismatches in personal information like names or addresses. It can be frustrating, but hereβs a balanced approach to resolving it: First, exhaust the no-cost options by calling EDD directly, preferably using less busy times like early mornings or late afternoons. If you struggle to get through, consider using tools like Claimyr as a final resort, which can connect you to an agent for a fee. Balancing these options could save you time and stress. Additionally, reaching out to your local assembly member for help can sometimes expedite the process. They have resources and connections that could assist in navigating the system. Finally, documenting all communications with EDD and being prepared with any supporting documents will strengthen your case. While the system is far from perfect, persistence and utilizing available resources can help resolve the issue.
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Abigail Patel
Here's what you need to do to resolve this issue: 1. Gather any old documents from your previous claim if you have them. 2. Write down both the correct and incorrect spellings of your last name. 3. When you finally get through to EDD: - Explain the situation clearly, mentioning the misspelling from 20 years ago. - Tell them it's causing an OTEC issue and E311 error. - Ask them to update their records with the correct spelling. 4. Be prepared to provide additional documentation if they request it. 5. Follow up regularly if the issue isn't resolved immediately. Remember to be patient and persistent. The EDD system is overwhelmed, but they should be able to fix this for you.
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Donna Cline
β’Thank you so much! This is really helpful. I'll give it a try and hope for the best.
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Daniel White
β’Great advice! I'd add: keep a log of all your calls and who you spoke to. It helps if you need to escalate later.
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Lourdes Fox
Have you tried turning it off and on again? π€‘
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Donna Cline
β’If only it were that simple π
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Bruno Simmons
β’Instructions unclear. Got dick stuck in toaster. Send help.
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Aileen Rodriguez
β’Tech support humor might not solve the problem, but it can certainly lighten the mood. Best of luck!
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Zane Gray
I work in IT (not for EDD tho). That E311 error usually means there's a data mismatch in their system. You definitely need to talk to someone to manually override it. Hang in there!
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Maggie Martinez
β’Thanks for the insight! It's always helpful to understand the technical side of these issues.
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Alejandro Castro
Plot twist: what if the misspelling 20 years ago was actually correct and you've been spelling your name wrong this whole time? π€―
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Donna Cline
β’Omg don't even joke about that π With my luck, it might be true!
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Monique Byrd
β’New fear unlocked π
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Tasia Synder
Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member's office? They can sometimes help push things through with EDD faster.
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Donna Cline
β’I didn't even know that was an option! How do I find my assembly member?
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Tasia Synder
β’Just google '[your city] assembly member'. They usually have a form on their website for constituent services. Good luck!
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Selena Bautista
β’That's a great suggestion! Having the backing of an assembly member can sometimes make all the difference in bureaucratic processes.
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Nolan Carter
lol welcome to the wonderful world of EDD where your past mistakes never die π Seriously tho, good luck OP. We're all in the same sinking boat here.
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Natalia Stone
β’Indeed! It's a shared struggle for many. Hopefully, you can navigate the system successfully.
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Dylan Fisher
Have you tried calling the EDD office? Sometimes talking to a real person can help resolve these issues faster than trying to fix it online.
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Donna Cline
β’Yeah, I've been trying to call but its impossible to get through. Been on hold for hours and then get disconnected. So frustrating!
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Edwards Hugo
β’Pro tip: call right when they open. I got through after only 30 mins of waiting that way.
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Gianna Scott
β’Calling when they open is a good strategy. Also, try different times of the day. Sometimes later afternoon can be less busy.
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Emma Anderson
I had a very similar issue with an old name discrepancy causing system errors! What finally worked for me was calling the EDD technical support line (not the regular claims line) and specifically asking them to check for "legacy data conflicts" in the OTEC system. When I mentioned the E311 error and explained it was due to an old misspelling, they were able to flag my account for manual review by their data team. It took about 2 weeks, but they eventually cleaned up the conflicting records. The key is being very specific about the error code and mentioning OTEC - it helps them understand exactly what type of technical issue you're dealing with. Hope this helps!
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Luca Romano
β’This is incredibly helpful! I'm going to try calling the technical support line specifically and use those exact terms. Thank you so much for sharing what worked for you - gives me hope that there's actually a solution to this mess!
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Sofia Rodriguez
I'm dealing with a similar name issue right now! Mine's not quite as old (about 8 years), but I'm getting the same E311 error. It's so frustrating that these systems can't handle simple corrections. I've been trying to get through to someone for weeks. Thanks for posting this - at least I know I'm not alone in this nightmare. Really hoping someone here has found a solution that actually works!
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Diego Mendoza
β’I feel your pain! The E311 error is like a digital curse that follows you around. Have you tried the suggestion from @Emma Anderson about calling the technical support line specifically? She mentioned asking about legacy "data conflicts and" mentioning OTEC - that sounds like it might work for your 8-year-old issue too. Also, @Tasia Synder suggested reaching out to your assembly member s office,'which could be worth a shot if the phone calls don t work'out. Hang in there - this community has shown there are people who ve actually'gotten through this mess!
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Diego Vargas
I went through something very similar about 6 months ago! The E311 error is definitely related to OTEC data conflicts from old claims. Here's what finally worked for me: I called EDD at 8:00 AM sharp when they opened and specifically asked to speak with someone in the "Identity Verification Unit" rather than general claims support. When I got transferred, I explained that I had an E311 error due to a name discrepancy from an old claim and needed them to manually merge or update the conflicting records in their system. The rep was able to see both versions of my name in their database and flagged my account for their technical team to resolve. It took about 10 business days, but they called me back once it was fixed and I was able to complete my registration. The key is being very specific about the error code and asking for the Identity Verification Unit - they seem to have more tools to handle these legacy data issues than regular support staff.
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Mason Lopez
β’This is exactly the kind of detailed, actionable advice that can make all the difference! The Identity Verification Unit sounds like the right department to handle these complex data conflicts. I'm bookmarking this for future reference - the specificity about calling at 8 AM sharp and mentioning the E311 error with OTEC conflicts seems crucial. It's encouraging to hear you actually got a callback once it was resolved. Thanks for sharing your success story @Diego Vargas - it gives hope to everyone dealing with these legacy system nightmares!
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ShadowHunter
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got the E311 error yesterday and spent 4 hours on hold before getting disconnected. The tech support person I briefly spoke with mentioned something about OTEC but didn't explain what to do next. Reading through all these responses is giving me some actual hope - especially the suggestions about calling the Identity Verification Unit and asking specifically about "legacy data conflicts." Going to try calling at 8 AM sharp tomorrow and use the exact terminology people have shared here. It's crazy that a simple name spelling error from decades ago can cause such a headache, but at least this community shows there are real solutions. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! π
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Katherine Harris
β’Welcome to the E311 error support group! π It's reassuring to see so many people sharing their success stories here. The advice about calling the Identity Verification Unit at 8 AM and using specific terminology like "legacy data conflicts" and mentioning OTEC seems to be the golden ticket based on what @Diego Vargas and @Emma Anderson shared. I d also'suggest keeping a detailed log of every call attempt - date, time, who you spoke with, and reference numbers if they give you any. That way if you need to escalate or call back, you have a paper trail. The assembly member suggestion from @Tasia Synder is also worth pursuing as a backup plan. Good luck with your 8 AM call tomorrow! π€
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Steven Adams
I've been following this thread closely as I'm dealing with a similar E311 error situation myself. Based on all the successful strategies shared here, it seems like there are a few key approaches that actually work: 1. **Call the Identity Verification Unit specifically** - Thanks to @Diego Vargas for this tip! This seems way more effective than general claims support. 2. **Use the right terminology** - Mentioning "E311 error," "OTEC system," and "legacy data conflicts" appears to help reps understand exactly what technical issue you're dealing with. 3. **Timing matters** - Multiple people have mentioned calling right at 8 AM when they open for better chances of getting through. 4. **Assembly member backup plan** - @Tasia Synder's suggestion about contacting your local assembly member seems like a solid fallback if the phone calls don't work. For anyone new to this thread dealing with the same issue, I'd recommend reading through @Emma Anderson and @Diego Vargas's detailed success stories - they provide the most actionable step-by-step guidance I've seen for actually resolving these old name discrepancy errors. It's frustrating that we need to jump through so many hoops for what should be a simple fix, but at least this community has figured out the system! πͺ
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Yara Sayegh
β’This is such a comprehensive summary of all the solutions! As someone new to this community and dealing with this exact issue, I really appreciate how you've compiled all the successful strategies into one clear action plan. The fact that multiple people have had success with the Identity Verification Unit approach gives me confidence that there's actually a path forward. I'm going to screenshot this comment and use it as my game plan - the specific terminology about "legacy data conflicts" and timing the calls for 8 AM seems crucial. It's amazing how this community has basically reverse-engineered the EDD system to help each other navigate these bureaucratic nightmares. Thanks for putting this all together @Steven Adams!
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Ryan Andre
I'm dealing with the exact same E311 error right now! My situation is almost identical - there's a misspelling in my maiden name from when I filed unemployment about 15 years ago, and now the system won't let me register because of the OTEC conflict. I've been banging my head against the wall for weeks trying to figure this out. Reading through all these responses has been a lifesaver! I'm definitely going to try the Identity Verification Unit approach that @Diego Vargas shared - calling at 8 AM sharp and using the specific terminology about "legacy data conflicts" seems like the key. It's incredible that @Emma Anderson and @Diego Vargas both had success with similar approaches. Has anyone had luck with this if the name error involves a maiden name vs married name situation? I'm wondering if that adds another layer of complexity to the OTEC system conflicts. Either way, I'm feeling more hopeful after reading all these success stories. Thanks to everyone for sharing what actually worked - this community is amazing! π
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Kayla Morgan
β’I can't speak to the maiden name vs married name complexity specifically, but from what I've seen in this thread, the Identity Verification Unit seems equipped to handle various types of name discrepancy issues. The fact that @Diego Vargas mentioned they could see both "versions of" the name in their database suggests they re'used to dealing with different name scenarios. I d'definitely try the same approach - call at 8 AM, ask for Identity Verification Unit, and be specific about the E311 error and OTEC conflicts. If the maiden name situation does add complexity, they ll'likely know how to escalate it properly. Also worth having any documentation ready that shows the name change marriage (certificate, etc. just) in case they need it. Good luck! π€
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Morita Montoya
I just wanted to add another perspective here - I work as a case manager for a nonprofit that helps people navigate government benefits, and I see E311 errors fairly regularly. A few additional tips that might help: **Document everything** - Keep a detailed log of every call attempt, including date, time, representative names, and any reference numbers they give you. This creates a paper trail that can be invaluable if you need to escalate. **Morning calls are key** - The 8 AM strategy mentioned by several people here is spot on. The phone systems are less congested and you're more likely to reach reps who aren't burned out from a full day of difficult calls. **Know your rights** - If you're getting nowhere after multiple attempts, you can file a complaint with the California State Auditor's office. Sometimes just mentioning this gets things moving faster. The Identity Verification Unit approach that @Diego Vargas shared is excellent advice - they definitely have more tools and authority to resolve these legacy data conflicts than general support. The terminology matters too - using "E311 error," "OTEC system conflicts," and "legacy data conflicts" helps them immediately understand what they're dealing with. For those dealing with maiden name vs married name issues like @Ryan Andre, the Identity Verification Unit should be able to handle that complexity. Just have your marriage certificate or other legal name change documentation ready in case they need it. Hang in there everyone - these systems are frustrating but there are real solutions! πͺ
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Nia Johnson
β’This is incredibly valuable insight from someone who works directly with these issues professionally! As someone new to this nightmare, I really appreciate the additional context about documentation and knowing your rights. The tip about mentioning the California State Auditor's office is something I hadn't heard before - that's a powerful tool to have in the back pocket if other approaches fail. Your confirmation that the Identity Verification Unit approach works and that they can handle complex name change situations gives me even more confidence in the strategy everyone's outlined here. Thank you for taking the time to share your professional expertise with this community - it means a lot to those of us trying to navigate this broken system! π
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Alicia Stern
I just successfully resolved my E311 error after following the advice in this thread! Called the Identity Verification Unit at exactly 8:00 AM this morning and used the specific terminology everyone mentioned - "E311 error due to legacy data conflicts in the OTEC system." The rep immediately knew what I was talking about and was able to see both versions of my name in their system. She flagged my account for their technical team and said it would take 7-10 business days to resolve. Finally feel like I'm getting somewhere after weeks of frustration! π For anyone still struggling with this, the key really is calling the Identity Verification Unit specifically (not general claims support) and being very precise about the error code and system conflicts. Also had my old records ready and documented every previous call attempt, which seemed to help show I'd been trying to resolve this properly. Huge thanks to @Diego Vargas, @Emma Anderson, and @Morita Montoya for sharing the strategies that actually work!
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Henrietta Beasley
β’This is amazing news! π As someone who's been following this thread closely while dealing with my own E311 nightmare, it's so encouraging to hear a real success story using the exact strategies everyone outlined. The fact that the Identity Verification Unit rep immediately understood what you meant when you mentioned "legacy data conflicts in the OTEC system" really validates how important the specific terminology is. I'm going to try calling first thing tomorrow morning using your exact approach. Thanks for coming back to share your progress - it gives hope to all of us still stuck in this bureaucratic maze! Fingers crossed your technical team resolves it quickly. π€
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Lucas Notre-Dame
I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with the exact same E311 error for the past month due to a name misspelling from an old claim about 12 years ago. After reading through all the success stories here, I feel like I finally have a clear roadmap to resolve this. The strategy of calling the Identity Verification Unit at 8 AM sharp and using specific terminology like "E311 error," "OTEC system conflicts," and "legacy data conflicts" seems to be the game-changer. It's amazing how @Diego Vargas, @Emma Anderson, @Alicia Stern, and others have cracked the code on navigating this broken system. I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning armed with all this knowledge. I've already documented my previous call attempts and gathered my old records, just like @Morita Montoya suggested. It's frustrating that we need to become experts in EDD's internal systems just to fix a simple spelling error, but this community has shown there's actually a path forward. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've turned what felt like an impossible situation into something manageable! I'll report back once I make progress. π
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Giovanni Greco
β’It's so heartwarming to see this community come together to help each other navigate these bureaucratic nightmares! As someone who's been lurking and learning from all the amazing advice shared here, I'm excited to see you have such a clear action plan. The collective wisdom from @Diego Vargas, @Emma Anderson, @Alicia Stern, @Morita Montoya and others has really created a blueprint for success. The fact that @Alicia Stern just had success this morning using the exact same approach gives me hope that the Identity Verification Unit strategy is consistently effective. Best of luck with your 8 AM call tomorrow - you ve got'this! πͺ And please do report back with your progress - success stories like these help keep everyone motivated and show that persistence really does pay off with these legacy system issues.
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Zara Mirza
I've been dealing with a similar E311 error for the past few weeks, and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I have a slightly different situation though - my error is due to a hyphenated last name that was entered without the hyphen on an old claim from about 10 years ago. The current system shows "Smith-Johnson" but the old record apparently just has "SmithJohnson" as one word. Based on all the amazing advice here, I'm planning to call the Identity Verification Unit tomorrow at 8 AM sharp and use the specific terminology about "E311 error due to legacy data conflicts in the OTEC system." It's encouraging to see @Alicia Stern just had success with this exact approach! Has anyone dealt with hyphenated name issues specifically, or should the same Identity Verification Unit strategy work for punctuation discrepancies too? I'm assuming it's all the same type of legacy data conflict, but wanted to check if anyone has experience with this particular variation. Thanks to everyone who's shared their success stories - you've given me hope that there's actually a solution to this mess! π
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Amina Diop
β’I haven't dealt with hyphenated name issues specifically, but based on everything I've read in this thread, punctuation discrepancies should fall under the same category of "legacy data conflicts" that the Identity Verification Unit handles. The core issue is still a mismatch between old and current records in the OTEC system, whether it's a misspelling, hyphen, or other formatting difference. I'd definitely try the same approach that worked for @Alicia Stern and others - call at 8 AM, ask for Identity Verification Unit, and be specific about the E311 error and legacy data conflicts. The fact that multiple people have had success with various types of name discrepancies suggests they re'equipped to handle punctuation issues too. Good luck with your call tomorrow! π€
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