The information in your credit report can directly affect your ability to get a loan, credit, insurance and even a job, so it's important to check your credit report to make sure the information it contains is accurate. If you spot an error on your credit report, you'll want to take action immediately to correct the mistake. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can request a free copy of your credit report every 12 months.
Step 1
Identify the error on your credit report. Using a few sentences, write down the facts about the listed item and why you're disputing it; then add a sentence asking for the erroneous item to be removed from your credit report. If you spot more than one mistake, you'll need to make a separate entry for each item.
Step 2
Ask a friend or family member to read over your explanation to make sure it's easy to understand what item on your credit report you're disputing and why.
Step 3
Find information to support your position, such as credit card statements, bills or other paperwork, if you can. Make copies of the backup information.
Step 4
Include your written dispute and a copy--not the original--of your backup information along with your name and address in a letter.
Step 5
Send a copy of your letter and information to the credit agency with the incorrect information on its report. Find the credit agency's address on your credit report. Expect to hear a response from the agency's investigation within 30 days.
Step 6
Send a copy of the letter to the company that reported the erroneous item on your credit report. If you can't figure out how to contact the company doing the reporting, wait for the response from the credit agency, which must include the address and phone number for the company that reported the information.
Step 7
If the credit agency removes the item from your credit report based on its investigation, ask it to send an updated credit report to every company that requested your credit report in the last six months. If the credit agency can't resolve the issue and remove the error with the information you provide, ask it to include your dispute in your official credit report.
Tips and Warnings
- You can get your free credit report by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com, calling 877-322-8228 or writing to Annual Credit Report Request Service P.O. Box 105281 Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
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