Dispute Credit Report Errors with these 6 steps

#1 Request Copies of your Current Credit Reports

Something all consumers should be doing at least once a year is keeping tabs on their credit history. How ever most of us don't do it unless we run into a problem. If you don't already have current copies visit AnnualCreditReport.com and request your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies.

#2 Write a letter to the Credit Reporting Agencies about Errors

If you find any mistakes or errors on your credit report you should address them right away. Not acting on a credit report mistake can cause you bigger troubles down the road. Gather up any paper work you have that supports why the item is an error. Then write a letter to each credit bureau explaining the error, include copies of all documents and send it off right away.

#3 Hold onto copies of all documents

When sending a credit report dispute never include original documents. Be sure to keep copies of everything, and send your letters via registered mail. While you do need to send in the correct information to support you claim, without a copy for yourself it could backfire.

#4 Contact Creditors if it's worth while

Depending on the item that is an error, along with your credit report dispute consider contacting the creditor correctly. A lot of information is handled via automated systems these days, and computers can make mistakes, or an employee could accidentally miss someones SSN by one digit. Creditors should contact the credit bureau to resolve issues as well, and ensure that the credit report error is deleted.

#5 Know what happens behind the scenes of a Credit Report Dispute

When you dispute a credit report the bureaus have a reasonable time frame in which to investigate your claim. Normally this will take 30 days or so, at that point if they cannot find or receive evidence that the item isn't an error it should be deleted. Understanding what happens after you send your letter will help you know what to expect, and support your arguments if required.

#6 Consider contacting a credit repair lawyer

This step is dependent on how serious or how comfortable you are with the dispute credit report process. If you have some serious items you wish to challenge, or just want some professional help consider looking for a credit repair lawyer to help draft your letters and communicate your disputes to the credit reporting agencies.

To read more about how you can dispute your own credit report errors, and locate credit repair professionals to help you with the process visit our website at Dispute credit report errors.