How to Dispute a Credit Report Issue

Monitor your credit report and dispute errors if and when they occur

The time to discover your credit report contains errors is not when applying for a loan or mortgage. It is essential to protect yourself and your credit rating by monitoring the credit report all three major agencies maintain, and disputing erroneous information if it occurs. While Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax may have procedures specific to the company or issue, there is a general process you can follow to dispute a credit report issue.

Things You'll Need

• Copy of current credit report
• Supporting evidence
• Correspondence log

Instructions

1. Contact the credit-reporting agency either by mail or online, where you discover the error. Explain, in writing, the error you found, why you feel the information is inaccurate, and specifically state you are disputing the information. Include copies of supporting documentation, such as a utility bill displaying a correct address, a cancelled check or credit card receipt, or a "paid-in-full" receipt for a judgment or lien.

2. Maintain both a call log and paper trail of all written correspondence, phone calls, and emails. This can be a simple list or a computer spreadsheet that includes dates, times, names and titles of persons you speak with, and a description of the conversation.

3. Verify the agency updates incorrect information by requesting an additional copy of your credit report when the dispute process is complete. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires credit-reporting agencies to provide this report to you free of charge.

4. Request the credit-reporting agency send a notice of correction to any person or agency that viewed your report in the preceding six months.

Tips & Warnings

• The Federal Trade Commission recommends you request a free copy of your credit report from each major reporting agency on an annual basis. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires these companies provide credit report information upon request from you, every twelve months.

• Always send copies of supporting documentation, not original documents.

• If you send your letter via postal mail, consider sending it certified and request a delivery receipt.

• Credit reporting agencies must act within 30 days to investigate your dispute and provide you with a copy of all findings.

• If an investigation finds the information in dispute is correct, you can request the reporting agency include the dispute letter in your credit file.

References

• FTC: How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
• Investopedia: How to Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report

Resources

• Your Access to Free Credit Reports
• Sample Dispute Letter