How to Dispute a Credit Report Item

Knowing how to dispute a credit report item will enable you to dramatically improve your credit score in a short amount of time. Mistakes are made occasionally, and fraudulent accounts can appear on anyone's credit report. The amount of time it takes for a dispute to process depends largely on the response time of the company that is trying to claim the supposed outstanding debt.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Obtain a free credit report from all three reporting agencies and check for mistakes and fraudulent items. Search your own financial records to make sure you did not simply forget about an outstanding debt, and that you can prove the item is inaccurate. If you are convinced that the items you have identified are incorrect, you should file a dispute. You can file more than one if you find multiple inaccuracies in your credit reports.

2. Write a letter explaining the reason you want to dispute the credit repot item. Make sure all of your personal information is in the letter, including SS#, birth date, full name, a photocopy of your driver's license showing your current address, previous addresses in the last five years, and a photocopy of your social security card. Also include a photocopy of any documentation supporting your reason for the dispute.

3. Mail the letter and other items to the appropriate address.
   
   TransUnion
   Customer Disclosure Center
   Trans Union Consumer Relations
   PO Box 2000
   Chester, PA 19022-2000
   
   Experian
   NCAC
   PO Box 9556
   Allen TX 75013
   
   Equifax Information Services
   P O BOX 740256
   Atlanta, GA 30374

Tips & Warnings

• You can also file a dispute with Equifax and Experian online (see resources below), and by phone (phone number to initiate a dispute will be listed on the bottom of your credit report). Transunion's dispute phone number is 1-800-916-8800.

Resources

• Equifax Dispute Online
• Experian Dispute Online
• Transunion Dispute Online