How to Complain About Credit Reporting
The three major credit bureaus--TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian--all have credit reports for American consumers. At times, though, these companies make mistakes when reporting on credit accounts. If this happens, it's important to know how to contact them and get the error corrected as quickly as possible. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy process.
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Things You'll Need
- Current copy of credit report
- Documentation (bank statements, canceled checks, other correspondence)
Instructions
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Pull a current copy of your credit report. Review the account in question on the credit bureau. Verify the error by comparing the report to your own documentation--bank statements, canceled checks, paid-in-full statements.
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Make photocopies of all supporting documents you have to corroborate your claims. You do not want to send originals to the credit bureau.
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Logon to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) complaint form. Fill out the claim in its entirety. Fax or mail any documents requested by the FTC. Creditors and the credit bureaus must respond within 90 days.
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Draft a letter to the credit bureau. This will be your direct appeal to the credit bureau. Keep the letter cordial and respectful. Include your name, account number (the one in question), Social Security number, address, phone number, email address, and date. Get right to point in the letter: tell them what account is inaccurate, why, and what must be done. Make a copy for yourself.
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Send the letter and the supporting documentation to the credit bureau in question. The bureaus must respond to the inquiry within 30 days of receiving the letter, and take action within 90 days.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit bureau image by fderib from Fotolia.com
