How to Remove Duplicate Information on a Credit Report

After obtaining your annual credit report, you may see some discrepancies, such as incorrect balances or duplicate information. If there is duplicate information on your credit report, you should have it removed as soon as possible so that your information stays correct. An incorrect entry on your credit history could affect your credit score and your ability to obtain a loan or insurance at lower rates--it can even affect your employment.

Instructions

1

Apply online for your free annual credit report from Annual Credit Report (see References). Follow the directions to receive your free report.

2

Look at your report to see if there is any duplicate information. If so, write down the account number and the description of the duplicate account. Find your duplicate account statement and make a photocopy of it. You will need to send this to the credit reporting agency that is reporting the duplicate information.

3

Write a letter of notice explaining the duplication. Include the account number and name on the account, explain where you see the duplicate information on your credit report and note the information in quotation marks.

4

Attach a copy of the statement for the account you are reporting. Then sign and date the letter of notice before placing it in an envelope. Send the letter to whichever agency is reporting the duplicate information--Equifax, Experian or TransUnion (see Resources for their mailing addresses). If your criteria fit the emailing or faxing requirements, you may be able to send your information in one of those ways.