How Do I Dispute My Credit Report?

When you get a copy of your credit card, there may be bad marks on there that you question, or that you know were resolved long ago. There is a phone number to call for the credit-reporting agency (right on the report), and it gives you directions on how to dispute a charge. Generally, you’ll talk to the credit reporting agency, tell them which charge you dispute and they’ll give you the full account number and the details- along with a number to call for the particular creditor that is making the bad claim on your credit.

Take this information and call the creditor to dispute the problem. Chances are it will take several conversations, but you should be able to rectify the problem. If you cannot, you have two choices- wait 7 years for the claim to be too old to report on your credit, or ask the credit for the paperwork you need to fill out to dispute the claim.

In addition to calling, it is a good idea to send a letter so you have documentation of your credit report dispute. Here is an example template you can send (With an example immediately following):

July 5, 2005

From: [Your Name]

To: Consumer Relations

Credit Reporting Agency Name
Street Address
City, State Zip Code

Re: Dispute of Credit Report

Please review the following inaccurate items on my credit report.

[LIST ITEMS IN DISPUTE]

In accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, please check each item with the creditors listed and remove items which cannot be verified. In addition, please investigate and reply to my request within 30 days.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
SSN # [Your Social Security Number]
Street Address
City, State Zip Code

Phone Number

Example Letter:

April 18, 2005 To:  Consumer Relations Equifax PO Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 Re: Dispute of Credit Report Please review the following inaccurate items on my credit report. I have enclosed a copy of my credit report with these items circled: JC Penney’s charge account opened for $250 in May, 1998 and closed in April, 2001. I did not have a JC Penney’s charge account. Please remove this account. Three late payments to Capital One. These did not occur. Please investigate and remove. Loan opened with GE Financial. The credit report did not state the amount of the loan. Please add the amount of the loan. Enclosed are copies of documents support my position. Please investigate these matters and correct the disputed items as soon as possible. Sincerely, Alex Ryan SS # 011-33-5478 1818 Meadowbrook Ln Chicago, IL 60517 630-675-0980

Credit Reporting Agencies:

Equifax: 800-685-1111
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 800-682-7654
PO Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013

Trans-Union: 800-916-8800
PO Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022