You don't directly control what goes into your credit report, although your financial decisions influence it by providing the information that Experian, TransUnion and Equifax all collect. These three bureaus add it to your report without fact-checking. You may need to fix your credit reports if some items are partially or completely wrong.
Step 1
Notify each of the three credit bureaus that your reports need fixing and point out the exact errors. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends using written correspondence sent through the U.S. mail, even though fixes can also be requested online through the credit bureau websites. Your letter should detail every mistake and demand an investigation as mandated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). State that you expect a response and fix within 30 days as required by the FCRA.
Step 2
Scan or photocopy your credit report from each credit reporting agency, highlight everything that needs to be fixed and enclose the copy with your letter to that bureau. This lets the investigator quickly identify all of the items to which your letter refers. Copy and enclosed supporting documentation, such as receipts or checks that prove your assertions, if you have any.
Step 3
Mail the letter, along with the credit report and supporting material, to the current address listed on the dispute page of each credit bureau's official website. Look up the address right before you mail your correspondence, as it may change. If you mail it with return receipt requested, the FTC explains that you'll know the exact date it was received. That is the starting point for the 30-day investigation period.
Step 4
Write to the credit bureau again if it does not respond and fix your credit reports within 30 days. It may refuse to fix some questionable items because the lenders proved they were correct. However, it must erase anything that was not verified and must also remove items if the lender never responded at all. If you do not get an answer within 30 days explaining what actions the bureau has taken, your new letter should demand immediate removal of the questionable entries. Enclose a copy of everything you sent previously and send this letter certified.
Tips and Warnings
- Monitor your credit reports for any errors that might need fixing by getting one free report throughout the year. The FTC explains that the government's Annual Credit Report site lets you get a free report from each bureau every year. You can look for errors throughout the year by ordering a report from a different bureau every four months, Privacy Rights advises.
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