How to Fix Credit Report Errors Online

When you request your free annual credit report, if you find errors, it is important that you contact the credit reporting agency to dispute the errors. Each agency has its own process for filing a dispute that will prompt an investigation into the information provided on your credit report.

Instructions

Fix a Credit Report Error

1

Identify the credit reporting agency that is reporting the error. The three credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, may all have different information on the credit report for their individual agency. Contact the agency that is reporting the error. Check the other agencies' credit reports to ensure that the same error is not repeated on their reports.

2

Visit the agency's website online (see Resources) and follow the procedures online to dispute the item on your credit report. If you do not have a recent credit report, you may need to request a newer credit report before following through with the dispute. It is easier to file the dispute if you have the 10-digit number that should appear at the top of your credit report. This number identifies your credit report so the error can be found and fixed if necessary.

3

Provide the necessary information to the credit reporting agency including your full name, social security number, date of birth and addresses. Provide the agency with the information that appears on the credit report that you are disputing. After providing all information, an investigation will be initiated.

4

Follow up with the agency to ensure that the erroneous information has been fixed. This may take several weeks to occur. If the dispute is filed online, you will have to follow up with the dispute online. If you want to receive written conformation, follow the instructions on the website to file your dispute by mail.