Correcting Errors on a Credit Report
There are three ways one can begin the process of correcting errors found on a credit report: (1) online; (2) by telephone; or (3) by mail. No matter what method you choose, it will take at least 30 days to have any errors you find investigated. The credit bureau will send you the results in writing when their investigation is complete. They will tell you the information will remain as is, that they have added or changed information, or that they are deleting the information.
Contact Online: To dispute information on your credit report, you can probably do it online by visiting TransUnion.com, Experian.com or Equifax.com. You will find a link on their home pages that will send you to the dispute area of the website. Sometimes, to dispute or request a reinvestigation online, you might be required to have a recent copy of your credit report. If this is true, the credit report you receive from them might have a number or code at the top. A credit bureau might require you to enter this number or code provided on your credit report to dispute information or request a reinvestigation online at their websites.
Contact By Telephone: Probably nothing irks consumers more than trying to deal with credit bureaus over the telephone. Even hefty fines by the Federal Trade Commission have not convinced any one of the three credit bureaus to change their ways. Consumers have complained about being placed on hold anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, being treated rudely, and having their requests ignored. For this reason, telephoning a credit bureau is probably the least desirable and least effective method for correcting credit report errors. In addition, there is no documented evidence that you tried to have errors corrected, thus if two months go by and your credit report still hasn't been corrected, you might call them to ask why only to discover that they have no record of you ever disputing your credit report in the first place. Even the FTC recommends that you inform them in writing and not by telephone. Don't choose this method if you get angry easily or are a very impatient person.
Contact By Mail: When you order a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau, they should send a reinvestigation form along with the copy of your credit report. If they didn't send one along with the report you have received, call them and ask that they send you one. Make several photocopies of this form before you write on it in case you need to dispute more items. And, as stated earlier, you can dispute your credit report online at the credit bureau websites.
The form is very brief and simple to complete. It usually requires you to list the item number, account name, check a reason why you think it is inaccurate, and offer an explanation or make comments. After you complete the form, make a copy for your records and mail it back to them.
If you don't have a form or don't want to use the form, you can write them a letter instead. If you want the best results possible, send the letter certified mail, return receipt requested. These types of letters always get put in the front of the line, plus you have proof that you sent the letter.
Your letter must offer your complete contact information including your social security number and birth date. Contact information for each credit bureau and the information each requires be on all correspondence to them is in the section entitled, "How Do I Request a Copy of My Credit Report?". If your letter doesn't contain all the information they require, they will send it back to you and request the necessary information.
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