Disputing Inaccurate Information
In Your Credit Report

Once you get a recent copy of your credit report, check all the information in it to make sure that it is accurate. Sometimes errors occur, which might negatively affect your credit score. If you find an error, you must inform the credit reporting company in writing about it in order to have it corrected.

In your letter, give the specifics about the item(s) you are disputing and be sure to include the names of any creditors involved along with any documentation you have backing up your dispute, such as payment records or court records.

Credit reporting agencies are required by law to investigate your dispute in a timely manner, usually within 30 days. Once the agency completes its investigation, it will send you a written reply along with a free copy of your corrected credit report, if the dispute is acknowledged. You can also request that the company send a notice about the correction to anyone who has received a copy of your report in the last six months.

If the credit reporting agency does not honor your dispute, you can still require them to include a record of the dispute and the reasons for it in your credit report. In that way, you can ensure that your credit report gives a more complete picture of your credit history.