It is possible for your credit report to contain incorrect information, such as late payments, collection accounts and outstanding balances. It is also possible for your name, address or Social Security number to be incorrect on your report. Inaccurate information can lower your credit score and make it more difficult to get a job, credit card or loan. It is possible to have the incorrect information removed from your report.
How to Fix Something on a Credit Report
Step 1
Contact the credit reporting agency and notify it if your name, address or Social Security number are incorrect on your credit report. You might need to provide a copy of your driver's license, Social Security card or W-2 form to have this information corrected.
Step 2
File a dispute with the credit reporting agency to have any inaccurate reports of late payments, collection accounts or outstanding balances removed. Depending on the reporting agency, you may need to this in writing, by Internet or by phone. Have proof of the inaccuracies available, such as copies of closing letters or billing statements from lenders.
Step 3
Wait for the credit reporting agency to contact the lender. The agency will investigate your dispute by asking the lender to provide proof of the negative items on the credit report. The agency will contact you in writing when the investigation is complete, and an updated credit report will be sent to you if any changes have been made.
Step 4
Look at your credit reports from the other two main credit reporting agencies because each credit report may have different information. If necessary, repeat the process to have the information fixed on each report.
Tips and Warnings
- You are able to get a free credit report from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each year. Take advantage of this opportunity to make sure that your credit report always has correct information.
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