HOW TO CHECK AND CORRECT CREDIT REPORTS

HOW TO CHECK CREDIT REPORTS FOR FREE: 

• By law, you are entitled to receive an annual free credit report from the three nationwide credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion).
• Only annualcreditreport.com is authorized to issue free annual credit reports from the three bureaus. There are three ways to make your request:
  • Online: AnnualCreditReport.com
  • By phone: 1-877-322-8228
  • By mail: You must submit this form by mail to Annual Credit Report Request Service PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
• For additional information on how to access your credit report please visit: usa.gov/credit-reports

HOW TO DISPUTE ERRORS ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT:

• If you believe there is an error on your credit report, you can dispute the information with whichever credit bureau or reporting company you found the error.
• What will you need?
  • A letter to the credit bureaus, reporting company, or both depending on your exact situation.
  • The Federal Trade Commission has a sample letter to assist consumers (your customer), you can find it HERE.
• What should the letter include? According to the CFPB the letter should include:
  • The requester’s contact information;
  • the credit report confirmation number;
  • the error or errors that need to be corrected including any identifying information (an account number, company name, etc.);
  • an explanation of why the identified errors are being disputed;
  • the actual removal request;
  • a copy of the section of the credit report that contains the errors with the errors clearly marked (highlighted, circled, or underlined); and,
  • lastly, copies of any supporting documentation which support your dispute.
• Where should I send it? To the credit reporting agency where the error appears.
  • Equifax
    • Online: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/ 
    • Phone: (866)349-5191
    • Mail: Visit the link above for the company’s most recent address.
  • Experian
    • Online: experian.com/disputes/main.html
    • Phone: (888) 397-3742.
    • Mail: Visit the link above for the company’s most recent address.
  • TransUnion
    • Visit: transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-credit/mail-or-phone
  • When should I expect a response?
    • Generally, 35-50 days. Credit reporting agencies must investigate within 30 days and notify the consumer of the results within 5 days of their results.
    • Delays caused by the consumer during the investigative period can tack on an additional 15 days.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Resources regarding your credit report:
  • FTC: Understanding Your Credit
  • usa.gov: Credit reports and scores
  • CFPB: How do I dispute an error on my credit report?
• Sample Letters
  • FTC: Sample Letter Disputing Errors on Credit Reports to the Business that Supplied the Information
  • The Florida Bar: How to Write a Dispute Letter to the Credit Bureaus
  • myFICO: Sample Letter of Explanation to Dispute Credit Report

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