How to Contest a Credit Report Error

Even one negative entry on your credit report can significantly damage your credit. That being said, if there is anything on your credit report that can leave a serious dent in your good credit, it is in your best interest to get rid of it. If the problem in question is an error, this will make it even simpler to remove the dent in your credit score, but you still will need to work to get it done.

Instructions

1

Gather any evidence you have that the problem on your report truly is an error. This could be in the form of anything such as a credit card statement, receipts that you may have, letters or other documents from the merchant.

2

Try to speak to the merchant or organization that caused the error and resolve the situation with them. If they are unwilling to resolve it, you will need to escalate it.

3

Write a letter to each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Trans Union and Experian. State in the letter that you are contesting an item in the credit report. Include in the letter the error that is on the credit report, the price (if applicable,) the merchant causing the issue, and what exactly is wrong.

4

Submit the letter to the credit bureaus. The bureaus will investigate the claim and ask for information from the merchant or other organization. If they don't respond, or don't have sufficient proof that it wasn't an error, then they will remove it from their records.