How to Dispute a Credit Report Error
Your credit score is one of the most important numbers to monitor as an adult. It helps you borrow money, determines what interest rates you qualify for, and even plays a role in things such as your ability to rent an apartment. Actively monitoring your credit report and working to improve your score makes life much easier and more affordable.
Understanding your credit report will help you first identify and ultimately fix errors. One of the most common errors consumers dispute is incorrect personal information – your name, address, etc. Then of course, incorrect accounts reported and/or account details. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has compiled an extensive list of common errors to look for – check it out.
It's More Important Than Ever to Review Your Credit Report
Mistakes can easily happen as lenders work to support people seeking help and taking advantage of relief options such as loan forbearances, skipping loan payments, and loan deferrals. While many of these items are not being reported to credit bureaus, mistakes can happen.
Regularly reviewing your credit report throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can help you identify these mistakes. Additionally, fraud is unfortunately on the rise. Closely monitoring your credit report can help you identify suspicious activity so you’re able to immediately dispute any errors.
Getting a Copy of Your Credit Report
In an effort to help consumers during these uncertain times, the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) are making your credit reports available to you free of charge on a weekly basis between May 2020 and April 2021.
Why is that significant?
Credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus are usually available without charge at the rate of one per year (from each bureau). Now each one is available once per week, granting you unprecedented access to your credit records to make sure no inaccurate charges are finding their way into your credit history.
How do you get access to your credit report?
It’s easier than ever for you to get a copy of your credit report. Simply visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com to obtain a free copy of your report from each of the three major U.S. credit reporting agencies.
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
The best way to go about disputing credit report errors is to print out a copy of your credit report, go line by line, and highlight all errors with each credit reporting company. Some errors may include:
- Accounts you did not apply for or do not recognize (indicating possible identity theft)
- Late payments you believe you made on time
- Inaccurate personal information (wrong address, phone number, etc.)
- The same debts listed multiple times
- Incorrect account balances
- Incorrect credit limits listed
- Closed accounts reported as open accounts
Note, even if the same error appears on multiple reports, you must dispute with each credit bureau in which the error appears.
To dispute an error, you can call the agency directly or file your dispute online. Alternatively, you can mail in your dispute by writing a formal letter to each credit agency with whom you are disputing credit report errors, citing each error. If mailing your dispute, make sure you send it by certified mail so you can track when the letter was received and include copies of documentation you have that would support your claims. Never send the originals.
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
Phone: 1-866-200-6020
Online at https://www.experian.com/disputes/
Equifax
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
Phone: 1-866-349-5191
Online at https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/
TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016-2000
Phone: 1-833-395-6941
Online at https://www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-credit
CAMPUS is here to help!
We understand how important it is to keep track of your credit history, especially during trying times. If you have any questions, give us a call at 800-367-6440.
By Campus USA at 13 Jul 2020, 16:27 PM