How to Contest a Credit Report

A credit report is a compilation of information on how a person pays his debts, where he lives and whether he has been arrested, sued or filed for bankruptcy. A credit reporting company compiles the information and sells it to banks, employers, creditors and landlords. An error on a credit report may stop an individual from getting credit, a job, an apartment or a mortgage.

Instructions

1

Obtain your credit report from each of the three consumer reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can do this over the phone, online or by mail. Contact information is on each company's website. Or you can visit annualcreditreport.com and receive copies of all three reports for free. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the three companies must provide a free credit report every 12 months.

2

After receiving the credit reports, scan each thoroughly. Compare them with your list of creditors. Mark any errors.

3

Gather corroborating evidence such as documents, bills and any correspondence that shows the information is wrong.

4

Inform the consumer reporting company of any error. This should be done in writing in a letter. State why the information is wrong, and provide copies of all corroborating documents that support your claim. Be sure to provide your name and address within the letter.

5

Make a copy of the letter, and send the original letter by certified mail with a return receipt request to the consumer reporting company or companies.

6

Once the consumer reporting company has replied, take action. If the reporting company provides a credit report, check to make sure any errors have been corrected.

7

Request that all errors are reported to whoever received your credit report during the last six months.

8

Ask that a statement of the dispute be added to your credit report if the reporting company's investigation does not resolve the issue.

9

Inform the entity that reported the information that you are disputing it. You can use the same information and documents that you sent to the consumer reporting company.