Your credit reports serve as the gateway to the credit you need for major purchases. Many employers and other agencies use creditworthiness as a determining factor in deciding whether you get the job or loan. Protect your financial life by checking your credit file for inaccuracies. Dispute items that do not belong on your credit report to improve your rating with the three credit bureaus.
Instructions
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Contact the company and request that they remove the incorrect data from your credit report.
2Call 877-322-8228 or visit annualcreditreport.com to request a copy of your credit report from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. The Fair Credit Reporting Act guarantees your right to access a free copy of your credit report once each year from each of the three agencies.
3Examine your credit report carefully to determine if it contains any incorrect or expired items. In most cases, bankruptcy records expire after 10 years and should no longer appear on your credit reports. In many states, credit card accounts and other negative items expire after seven years and should no longer appear on your reports.
4Write a letter disputing any incorrectly reported items. List each incorrect item and include a copy of your credit report with the questionable items highlighted. Mail the letter to the Dispute Investigation Department of Equifax and TransUnion. Alternatively, submit a dispute online with both of these bureaus.
5Submit an online dispute detailing inaccuracies in your credit report to Experian. Experian does not allow you to mail your credit dispute.
6Wait for the bureaus to investigate your claim, which could take up to 30 days. You will receive a letter in the mail from each bureau with the result of your dispute.
7Contact each credit bureau after 30 days to obtain a new copy of your credit file. Verify that the item no longer appears on your credit file. Submit a new dispute with additional information that backs up your claim if the item remains on your file.
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