How to Correct Wrong Information on a Credit Report

Lenders look at your credit report to evaluate your risk related to becoming a potential borrower. If your credit report shows you pay your bills on time and don't max out your credit cards, you will likely qualify for better interest rates than others who are not as diligent with their personal finances. It is important to look over your credit report thoroughly to check for any errors. Name misspellings, address errors, and mistakes regarding delinquent or negative accounts can all affect a lender's decision on lending you money. If you find a mistake on your credit report, it is important to take the appropriate steps to correct it.

Instructions

1

Confirm which credit bureau you received your credit report from. Three main credit bureaus exist in the United States: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You will need to dispute incorrect information with the appropriate credit bureau.

2

Call the number for the appropriate credit bureau. For TransUnion, call 1-800-916-8800. For Equifax and Experian, call the number on your credit report for disputes; they do not provide numbers to the general public about disputing information. Have your credit report in front of you when you call.

3

Point out the incorrect information to the customer service agent. If you are disputing a ding on your credit report, be prepared to provide the name of the company, the relevant account number, and the reason for the dispute. If you are correcting personal information such as a name misspelling, an incorrect address or social security number, you will need to mail supporting documentation to the credit bureau. The credit bureau will provide you with the exact documentation you need to send, as well as the specific address to which to mail it.

4

Wait 30 to 45 days for the credit bureau to contact you by phone regarding your corrections. The time frame for correcting information on your credit report will vary depending on the nature of the dispute.