How to correct errors on your credit report

If or when you find errors on your credit report, there are two basic methods you can use to get them corrected: contact the credit bureau, or contacting the creditor.

Method 1 - Contacting the Credit Bureau:

• Contacting the Bureaus via their Website:  All three credit bureaus allow you to dispute errors on your credit report via their websites.  To file a dispute via one of their websites, you need to have a copy of your credit report available.  The website will ask you for information that can be found on your credit report that verifies your identity.
• Contacting the Bureaus via their Toll-Free Number:  An alternate options for disputing information on your credit report is to call the bureaus using their toll-free phone numbers.  You most likely will not get a real person on the phone, but you will be informed about what information and documentation you need to file a written request to dispute something on your credit report.

What will happen next?  The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires the credit bureaus to investigate disputed information on your report an no cost to you.  The law requires that the bureau check out and respond to your dispute within 30 days.  If the information proves to be incorrect, the information will be removed and you will be eligible to get a free copy of your credit report.

Method 2 - Contacting the Creditor:

Based on the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA or FACT), passed in 2003, you are allowed to deal directly with the creditor to dispute information on your credit report.  You should be able to find their contact information on your latest billing statement.  Contact them directly as an alternative to contacting the credit bureau.