3 STEPS TO DISPUTE CREDIT REPORT ERRORS

Do you know how to dispute credit report errors?

Credit report errors can keep you from getting approved for credit, insurance or a job.  Credit report errors may appear on your credit report for many reasons, including identity theft, mixed files, creditor errors and public record errors.  Whatever the reason, you should dispute the errors so your credit report is fixed by the credit bureaus.

Step One – Order your credit reports

If you don’t order your credit reports, then you will not know what incorrect information is being reported on your credit reports.  The best way to order your free credit reports is by mail.  Simply download the Credit Report Request form, complete the form and drop it off at your local post office.  The one page form allows you to request your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.  Once the credit bureaus receive your request, they should mail you your free credit reports within 15 days.

Step Two – Review your credit reports

You should review your credit reports carefully looking for any errors.  Common errors include incorrect personal information, such as names, addresses or even date of birth or Social Security number.  Other errors may include public records that do not belong to you, such as judgments or bankruptcies.  Another common credit report error is judgment information that has not been updated as paid or vacated.

The account section should be carefully reviewed, too.  Look for any accounts that do not belong to you or belong to you, but are being reported with incorrect information, such as payment history or current balance.

Next, review the inquiry section.  Look for inquiries that you did not authorize, especially inquiries for new credit.  Inquiries that do not belong to you may indicate that you are a victim of identity theft or the credit bureaus have mixed your file with another consumer.

Step 3 – Write a dispute letter

After you have identified the incorrect information on your reports, you should write a letter to each of the credit bureaus who are reporting the inaccurate information.  The letter should clearly state what is inaccurate and why.  For example, if an account is reported that does not belong to you, say so.

     Sample Credit Report Dispute – I am disputing Account ABC 123 because it is not mine.

Or, if you have a judgment reporting on your credit report that was vacated, tell the credit bureaus the correct status of the judgment.

     Sample Credit Report Dispute– I am disputing the status of a judgment in favor of ABC 123 Case Number 11-cv-555 because this judgment was vacated on January 1, 2014.

Or, if you have a judgment reporting on your credit report that was satisfied (paid), tell the credit bureaus the correct status of the judgment.

Sample Credit report Dispute – I am disputing the status of judgment in favor of ABC 123 Case Number 11-cv-555 because this judgment was satisfied on January 1, 2014. Enclosed please find supporting court records.

If you have supporting documents, send the credit bureaus copies of the records that support your position.  The credit report dispute letter should be mailed by certified mail return receipt requested to the credit reporting agencies.  Keep copies of your dispute letters, postage receipts and return mail receipts for future reference.  In the event the credit reporting agencies verify inaccurate information, then you will need to provide this information to your Fair Credit Reporting Act attorney for review.

CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE CREDIT REPORT DISPUTE LETTER

Have you discovered errors on your credit report?  Do you have items on your credit reports that do not belong to you?  Have you disputed the errors, but the credit reporting agencies “verified” the inaccurate information?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should contact us for a free case review at 1-888-263-9091.