You checked your credit report and it didn't say what you thought it would. It's wrong! So why is it wrong and what can you do about it? Here is where it might get a little complicated. Fixing your credit report depends on what exactly is wrong and who put the inaccurate information there to begin with.
My Credit Report is Wrong- What Can I do?
You may be able to fix your credit report by spending a few minutes reporting the incorrect information using an online system or you may need to go to greater lengths in your attempt to correct the inaccurate information. Whether you can fix your report and how much effort will be required depends on what is wrong, what proof you have that the information is inaccurate, and where the information came from. So what is exactly wrong about your report?
My Basic Information is Wrong on my Credit Report
If your name, social security number, address, current employer, or previous names are incorrect on your report, you will need to correct the information. Former addresses and employers may not really matter and you should consider the time and effort required to correct this information being attempting to do so. If you decide that information needs to be corrected, you will need to report the corrections to each credit reporting agency that lists the inaccurate information on your credit report. You can do this by following the instructions below for Correcting Inaccurate Information on Your Credit Report.
There is an Account I Do Not Recognize on My Credit Report
If you see an account that you do not recognize on your credit report, write a letter to the creditor or debt collector requesting verification of the debt. You should also mail a copy of your letter to the Federal Trade Commission at 6th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20850. The debt collector should then provide you with the name and address of the original creditor, the amount owed, and the dates of service and/or the contract. After receiving this information, if you determine that you do not owe the debt for any reason, you can dispute the inaccuracies by following the instructions below for Correcting Inaccurate Information on Your Credit Report.
Specific Account Information is Wrong on My Credit Report
If a creditor or debt collector is reporting false information about your account or reporting a delinquent account you do not believe belongs to you, write a letter to the creditor or debt collector requesting verification of the debt. You should also mail a copy of your letter to the Federal Trade Commission at 6th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20850. The debt collector should then provide you with the name and address of the original creditor, the amount owed, and the dates of service and/or the contract. After receiving this information, if you determine that you do not owe the amount claimed because it was either paid or the account does not belong to you, you can dispute the negative information on your credit report by following the instructions below for Correcting Inaccurate Information on Your Credit Report.
Correcting Inaccurate Information on Your Credit Report
Each of the three national credit reporting agencies provides an online dispute form so that consumers can easily dispute any false or inaccurate information contained in their report. You can also contact the agency and ask how to dispute inaccurate information by mail or phone. Contact information for the reporting agencies is:
Equifax
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
https://www.equifax.com/personal/
Transunion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
When disputing false or inaccurate information be sure to include any documentation you can to support your dispute. Documentation you may want to provide includes:
- Divorce or Dissolution Decrees or Settlement Agreements
- Photo IDs
- Affidavits of third parties
- Copies of current or previous bills
- Receipts, bank statement, or returned checks showing payments made
Just think about what you are saying is incorrect and what document you can provide to support that contention.
If your credit report is wrong and you are unable to correct the inaccurate information, feel free to contact our office at 1-800-219-3577, for a free, no obligation consultation.
