How to Dispute a Negative Item in a Credit Report Letter

Credit reporting agencies (CRAs) such as Transunion, Experian and Equifax must strive to provide the most accurate information on their credit reports. When you find a problem with a negative account, you can dispute the information with the CRAs. Each credit reporting agency has an online dispute system that allows you to submit disputes. Once a dispute is submitted, the CRAs contact the creditor or collection agency responsible for the account data.

Instructions

Transunion

1

Navigate to the dispute center on Transunion's website.

2

Click "First Time? Click Here" if you have never used Transunion's online services before. Register for an account and go back to that page. Log in to your Transunion account on this page.

3

Click "Credit Report" from the navigational list at the top of the user control panel.

4

Click "Report Inaccuracy" underneath the main navigation options. Choose "Submit Dispute" to start the dispute process. You'll be presented with a list of your accounts. Scroll through this list until you find the account listing that matches your negative account on the paper credit report. Choose "Request Investigation." Use the provided reasons to dispute the account, checking the applicable reasons, or write your own. Click "Submit."

Equifax

5

Open your Internet browser and go to Equifax's online dispute Web page.

6

Find your credit report number on your paper Equifax credit report. Input this report number in the first field on the form. Provide the requested personal information in the other fields. Click "Submit." You will be presented with a list of questions regarding previous addresses, debt payments and credit accounts. Answer these questions to verify your identity and click "Submit."

7

Choose the "Start a new dispute" link. Use the sidebar navigation to get to the negative account section. Click "Dispute this item" next to the negative account from your paper credit report. Check each applicable dispute reason or present your own. Click "Add Dispute."

Experian

8

Navigate to Experian's dispute website.

9

Choose "Yes, I have a report number." Enter the number from your paper report in the provided field, and type in the rest of your personal information. Click "Submit."

10

Choose the negative accounts link running along the top of the credit report page. Click the name of the account to enter the account details page. Click "Dispute this item." Select the proper dispute reason or enter your own. Click "Submit your dispute."