How to Fax a Dispute to the Credit Bureau

Guarding your credit report is an important element in maintaining financial security. In order to keep your score high and ensure yourself the best treatment by lending institutions, the three credit bureaus need to have accurate information. Occasionally you'll find information that doesn't reflect your borrowing habits. This could range from a simple reporting error to fraud. If you find a mistake, it's your responsibility to dispute the incorrect information and provide all the necessary proof to the credit bureaus.

Instructions

1

Gather all the necessary paperwork to dispute the mistake. This could include your statements from the creditor as well as bank statements or canceled checks to prove any payment dates. Make copies of this paperwork to send with your fax.

2

Create a dispute letter to send to the creditor and the bureaus. This letter should include your name, address, date of birth, and phone number at the top. You may also want to provide your social security number. The body of the letter should explain the discrepancy on the report. Include details about the mistake such as the date, creditor, and account number. Explain the items you are sending, like bank statements, that prove a timely payment was made.

3

Contact the credit bureau using the provided phone number (see Resources). It's important to speak to someone to get instructions on the procedure you need to follow. Once you know where to send your information fax your dispute letter along with a copy of your credit report and the necessary proof that's been requested. Make sure you mark the discrepancy on your report before sending it.

4

Fax the letter and all necessary documentation to the credit bureau. Be sure to follow the instructions you were given as failure to do so may result in delays. Keep the fax transmittal sheet in your file with the rest of the dispute paperwork.

5

Follow up as soon as you can if you are not contacted within 30 days regarding your dispute. You may need to provide more documentation. Continue to follow up with the credit bureau until you receive confirmation of your correction.