Maintaining an accurate credit report is essential; an inaccuracy on your credit report can affect your score and keep you from getting a credit card or a good rate on a mortgage. Thankfully, there are steps that can be taken to ensure your credit report is accurate. U.S. Law also allows consumers to check their credit report for free once a year. You can check your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com.
Step 1
Check your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. This website will allow you to check your credit report for errors from the three major credit bureaus which are TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.
Step 2
Write a letter to each credit bureau. The letter should detail the inaccuracy and provide a correction. You will also want to include any proof that you may have that the correction is in fact correct. The Federal Trade Commission recommends that you provide photocopies and not originals. Should the error appear on all three reports you will have to write a letter to each one.
Step 3
Mail the letter using certified mail. This is the best and safest way and will ensure that the credit bureau gets the letter. A certified letter is registered with the U.S. Postal Service, and the recipient must sign for it when it is received. This provides you with proof and protection against any claims that your dispute was not received.
Step 4
Contact the credit bureau if you do not get a response within one to two weeks. Doing a follow up call is a good way to make sure that your dispute is filed in a timely manner.
Tips and Warnings
- TransUnion Dispute Number: 1 (800) 916-8800 Experian Dispute Number: 1 (888) 397-3742 Equifax Dispute Number: 1 (888) 201-6879
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