How to File Complaints to the Credit Bureau About Incorrect Reported Information

Incorrect information on your credit report can cause a multitude of problems, including the inability to get a job, secure insurance on your car or obtain a loan. Fortunately the Fair Credit Reporting Act provides help against inaccurate reporting.

Instructions

Reporting Incorrect Information

1

Get a current copy of your credit report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting act all three of the nationwide credit bureaus---Equifax, Experian and TransUnion---are required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every year. If you have an inaccuracy on one report, odds are its on the other two as well. So get copies of all three. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports the only official annual free credit report site is annualcreditreport.com. The FTC has issued warnings of other fake free credit reporting services, so use the one it recommends.

2

Prepare a statement regarding the error on the report. Explain the error and gather supporting materials that prove the mistake such as canceled checks. Send your statement, copies of your proof and a copy of the error on the report by certified mail with a return receipt to the credit bureau(s) that have reported the error as well as to the creditor company. Be sure to file the returned receipt when you get it back as its proof of your contact with the companies should it ever come into to question whether they received your statement.

3

Wait for a response. The credit bureaus have 30 days to respond to your statement in writing. During that time it investigate, including contacting the creditor in question. You will then receive a notice about the results of the investigation as well as a new report with updated information. You can ask that the new report be sent to all companies that requested access to your credit report over the last six months.

If Credit Bureau Doesn't Respond

4

File a complaint against the credit bureau. If the credit bureau fails to respond or doesn't correct the error and doesn't give a satisfactory response to its decision, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). While the FTC won't act on you behalf, if there is a pattern of complaints, they will investigate. In your complaint you'll want to prepare a statement that outlines all that you have done, including sending of proof to the credit bureau as well as the return receipt information that shows the bureau received your statement.

5

Notify the credit bureau in writing that you've filed a complaint with the FTC. It's possible that it will take another look at your complaint if it knows you're going to pursue further action.

6

Find an attorney who specializes in consumer advocacy. If you're certain you have a good case for the change on your report, you can hire an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Check at the National Association of Consumer Advocates for a lawyer near you (See Resources).