If there are errors in your credit report, it is not very difficult to dispute them.
If you obtained your credit report through the www.annualcreditreport.com web site, then you can write a letter to the address at the end of your credit report stating what the errors were and requesting that the credit bureau investigate these errors.
CREDIT TIP: Whenever corresponding with a credit bureau, do everything in writing – never over the phone. Additionally, when mailing a letter, send it registered mail so that you have a receipt and proof that they actually received the dispute letter.
If you purchased your report through www.myfico.com, then they have an automated process for helping you search for errors in your report and disputing them. Depending on which report you are having issues with, you can check it for errors or even start a dispute letter by simply filling out their template and printing it.
Whichever method you use for disputing an item on your credit report, keep these tips in mind:
- Always state the facts clearly when writing a dispute
- Include a photocopy of your credit report and circle or highlight the areas that you are disputing
- Clearly explain why you are disputing the information
- Always remember to request that the item be deleted or corrected in your file (without this wording in your letter, they may not be required to do anything in response to your letter)
Usually, the credit bureaus have 30 days to respond to your request and to complete their investigation.