How to Get Things Off Your Equafix Credit Report
Credit reports are important in America. Your credit determines if a lender will approve you for a car loan, credit card or mortgage. It also influences whether a landlord will rent an apartment to you and what rate you'll have to pay for car insurance. Incorrect data on a report can sometimes lower your credit score and negatively impact your financial life. Fortunately, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives consumers the right to dispute errors on a credit report. If you believe something on your credit report from Equifax, one of the nation's three largest credit bureaus, isn't accurate, here are five steps you can take to have it removed.
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Instructions
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Obtain a copy of your credit report. You can order your report for free thanks to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) of 2003, which gives consumers the right to order one free report each year. Visit the the Equifax website to order it online, or you can order by phone or mail.
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Examine the report carefully. Check the section entitled "personal information" to ascertain if your name, address and Social Security number are listed correctly. Any unfamiliar addresses or aliases could indicate identity theft. Also look over the "accounts" section to see if creditors have reported your credit accounts properly.
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File a dispute online at the Equifax website. Indicate the items you're disputing and the reason for the dispute. You are not limited in the number of incorrect items you can dispute. Alternatively, you may also file your dispute by mail or phone. With a mailed dispute the customer service representative will take down your dispute and submit it from her end. Mailed disputes should include a letter which indicates the disputed items, the reasons and any supporting documentation that you have. Send the letter via certified mail, return receipt requested.
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Print a copy of your report you obtained online. FACTA only provides for one free report per year. If you don't print it now and wish to access the report later, the credit bureau may charge you a fee to do so. In addition, you should keep a copy of it on hand in case you need to reference to it later.
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Allow the bureau up to 30 days to respond to your request. This is the allotted time given to Equifax by the FCRA to investigate your dispute and correct any errors. Once the investigation is complete, you will receive an email that includes the results and an updated copy of your credit report. Results of disputes filed by mail or phone are sent via mail. Wait a few extra days beyond the 30-day mark to receive mailed results.
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Tips & Warnings
Never pay a company to remove items from your credit report since you can do it for free yourself.
If you file your dispute online using a shared or public computer, you may expose yourself to identity theft.
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