Fixing Credit Report Errors: What You Can Do
Know Who to Contact
To fix errors in your credit report, start by identifying the right contacts. Errors often happen when reports are incomplete or include someone else’s data. This may be due to:
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Applying for credit under different names (like Robert Jones or Bob Jones),
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A clerk misreading handwritten details,
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Mistakes in entering a Social Security number,
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Or payments being applied to the wrong account.
Take Responsibility for Accuracy
You are responsible for checking the accuracy of your credit report. Credit bureaus only verify information when consumers raise a dispute. If negative details are correct but you have a valid explanation, add a 100-word statement to your report. This can help explain the situation to future lenders.
Reach Out to Both the Bureau and the Creditor
Act quickly by contacting both the credit bureau and the organization that shared the incorrect data. Both must correct the inaccurate details under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Follow These Steps to Fix Errors
1. Contact the Credit Bureau in Writing
Write to the credit bureau to explain what is wrong. Clearly list each incorrect item and provide facts to back up your claims. Include:
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Your full name and address,
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Copies of supporting documents,
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A copy of the report with the disputed items marked.
Send the letter by certified mail and request a return receipt. Keep copies of everything.
The bureau must look into your dispute within 30 days, unless they find it to be frivolous.
2. Notify the Information Provider
Write to the creditor or company that gave the incorrect information. Let them know about the dispute. Include the same supporting documents you sent to the bureau. Many companies have a specific address for handling disputes, so use the correct one.
3. Ask for Confirmation
If the company continues to report the disputed information, they must include a notice saying it’s under dispute. Ask them to send you a copy of what they provide to the bureau.
This process may take 30 to 90 days. In many states, you may qualify for a free updated credit report once the dispute is registered. Check with the credit bureau to see if you’re eligible.