How to Appeal an Unnamed Negative Report on Your Credit History

By law, consumers have the right to dispute or appeal negative items on their credit report. Consumers also have the right to know the details of their debt, including the company claiming the debt. This was all made possible due to amendments in the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act). Learn to appeal inaccuracies and negative items on your credit report.

Instructions

1

Pull your credit report from all three major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax and Transunion. You need to determine each credit reporting agency that has received the inaccurate information. Your credit report will vary between the agencies; some items may not be included on all three reports, including negative items.

2

Contact the credit reporting agency by certified mail. Make a copy of everything you send. Send them a letter explaining your situation and the inaccurate item on your credit report. Let them know the company that submitted the item was unnamed. It may be best to use a sample letter provided by the Federal Trade Commission, with your information substituted.

3

Wait up to 30 days for a response from each agency you have contacted. Once the credit reporting agency receives the claim, they will investigate the situation by contacting the company and asking for proof of the negative item. If the company cannot be reached or does not provide proper proof of the negative item, it will be removed from your credit history.