How to Dispute Harmful Items On Your Credit Report

Steps you need to take to get negative items removed from your credit report.

Instructions

1

Although today's tough economy has taken it's toll on just about everyone, a lot of times there are errors on our credit report that we had nothing to do with. This information could have made it's way on your credit report as a result of identity theft or there may be old information showing up that should have dropped off your report by now. Sometimes you fall victim to an unauthorized inquiry from a company who checked your credit and you knew nothing about it. Whatever the case, most people contain some sort of error on their credit report that they can dispute in order to start the removal process. Here's how you can dispute inaccurate negative items on your credit report.

Get A Copy of Your Credit Report

The first thing you need to do is get a copy of your credit report from all three major credit bureaus which are Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. There may be some accounts on one report that are not showing on another. To get an accurate picture of your credit situation you will need to look at all three reports. You're entitled to a free credit report once a year or within 60 days of you having been turned down for credit. To get your free annual credit report just type "free annual credit report" in to any search engine and go to one of the websites that come up.

2

Analyze Your Credit

Once you have gotten your credit reports you need to analyze what accounts are in good standing and what accounts are inaccurate and hurting your credit profile.

3

Dispute Inaccurate Information

The next step is to send out a letter disputing the inaccurate and hurtful accounts to the credit bureaus. Once you have done this, the credit bureaus then have 30 days to investigate your dispute and either delete accounts or verify them. If they can't verify them within 30 days then it is required by law for them to delete them from your report. They will send you the results of their investigation. You can also dispute inaccurate information on your credit report online or over the phone. Once you have ordered your reports online you can go directly to each individual credit bureaus website and use their online dispute form or use their contact number to dispute over the phone. Disputing information online or over the phone starts the investigation process much faster than writing and sending out a dispute letter.