What Can I Dispute on My Credit Report?

You can dispute virtually anything on your credit report, although it is unlikely you could eliminate all negative items on your credit report by disputing them all. You probably do not want to dispute everything on a credit report just to see whether you can get the credit bureaus to remove any of them, because disputing too many items could allow the credit agencies to ignore all claims, even legitimate ones.

Identification

You can only dispute legitimate errors on your credit report. Disputing correct negative items seldom results in their removal, and agencies might view this action as an attempt beat the the system by giving the agencies too many items to verify within the 30-day limit. The credit bureaus can legally ignore frivolous disputes, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Considerations

Do not avoid initiating a dispute simply because it seems like a small error or could appear frivolous, because mistakes often happen in credit reporting. Errors can include anything from a bankruptcy that does not belong to you to an account with the incorrect balance. The key to winning a disputes lies in your evidence. If you can back up your claim with evidence, such as bank statements, you have a chance to win your case.

Dispute Them All at Once?

Disputing multiple errors on your credit report simultaneously may seem to be the most efficient way to approach this situation. However, the Credit Repair website suggests tackling errors one at a time to avoid swamping the bureaus with disputes. You also can devote more time and space to detailing your side in the dispute when you focus on a single error, which could achieve better results.

Tips

While certified letters ensure the credit bureaus receive your dispute claim, online disputes offer the fastest communication. Also, contacting creditors to report correct information could further expedite the dispute process, but it is not necessary. On the other hand, it is often easier to have a creditor correct information he reports erroneously than to go through the credit agencies, which may require the creditor to verify the data anyway.