How to Report to a Credit Agency

Your credit report is the modern-day equivalent to "your permanent record." It contains a library of information about you--where you have lived, worked, went to school, how many student loans you have and the credit cards you have obtained. Containing all of that information is a grand feat; keeping it accurate is an even larger one. Credit agencies do a great job, but sometimes they need help. Obtaining and managing your credit report can ensure it is accurate.

Instructions

1

Obtain a copy of your most recent credit report. You can request a copy from any of the major three reporting agencies: Transunion, Experian or Equifax. You can submit your request by writing a letter, including your Social Security number and submitting the required payment or requesting one online (see Resources).

2

If you request it online, you will receive your report in approximately two weeks. If it arrives online, you may find it helpful to print out a copy to read and make notes on.

3

Read through each section of the report. Highlight items that are incorrect and write in the correct information. These items could be addresses, jobs, the status of credit accounts and more. Write notes about missing pieces of information and information that should not be on your personal credit report (i.e. accounts that do not belong to you that you believe to have been opened fraudulently).

4

Dispute inaccuracies online. Most credit reporting agencies allow this option. You will be required to log in to your account (if you already have one) or register to file a dispute.

5

Write a letter to the credit agency, if you prefer, outlining the incorrect items or the information that should be removed. (You may be given the dispute address when your report is issued.) Be sure to list the information that is incorrect and what the corrected information should be. You should create separate lists for items that are missing and items that should be investigated for removal. Be sure to give the most complete information. Include dates, account numbers, addresses and other important information.

6

Wait for the investigation and notification of changes. Once your dispute has been received, an investigation will be performed and you will be notified of any changes made or information that has been deleted. If you submit a request to have fraudulent information removed and the investigation doesn't result in this adjustment, you can add a written statement to your credit profile explaining what you perceive to be the discrepancy. Each credit agency has a customer service that can check the status of your request and give you additional assistance on how to navigate their website.