How to Get the Credit Bureau to Delete Information

Credit reporting bureaus make it their business to sell your credit history to companies you do business with. Sometimes the information the bureaus report is outdated or incorrect. If you have discovered that there is incorrect information on your credit report, the Fair Credit Reporting Act states that you have a right to dispute this information and have it removed.

Instructions

1

Visit annualcreditreport.com to request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major reporting bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.

2

Review your reports for outdated or incorrect information. Circle those items, and make several copies of the incorrect reports.

3

Write a letter of dispute to each bureau reporting the disputed information, explaining what items you are challenging and why. The letter also should state the outcome you would like see take place. For example, do you want the information completely removed from your report, or does the information just need to be corrected? You also have the option of submitting your dispute online via the bureau's online dispute form, or you may telephone the bureau directly: Equifax (800)685-1111, Experian (888)397-3742, TransUnion (800)888-4213.

4

Attach a copy of your credit report to each letter of dispute. This should not be your original report, which should be kept for your own records.

5

Attach copies of documents that support your dispute. For example, you can send copies of receipts or court documents showing payments that have been made to the account in question.

6

Give the credit reporting bureau 30 days to investigate the items you are disputing. The bureau will contact the creditor that reported the information to verify whether your dispute is legitimate. If the bureau has not completed its investigation within 30 days, by law, it is obligated to delete the information from your report. If your dispute is determined to be invalid, you can request that the bureau place a copy of your dispute on your credit report so that those requesting your report will see that you have disputed the matter.