| Disputing and correcting a mistake
on a credit report |
| By Bankrate.com |
|
Statistics show that 70 percent of credit reports
contain serious errors that might cause consumers to be denied credit
cards, car loans and even mortgages. The good news is that the Fair
Credit Reporting Act requires credit-reporting agencies to fix these
mistakes. But it takes your diligence to make sure it happens.
The first step is locating any discrepancies in your
report. Even the smallest error could seriously dent your credit
chances. If you find a mistake, immediately bring it to the credit
agency's attention. Remember, there are three credit reporting services
-- TransUnion, Experian and Equifax -- so you need to check, and
correct, the record held by each.
The links in the letter below will take you to each
credit agency's Web page, where you can find details on how to obtain
a copy of your credit report. The letter also details what information
is needed to successfully correct your mistaken report. Send a separate
letter to each agency where a mistake is found. Be sure to explain
the situation in detail and include a copy of the credit report
with the faulty information highlighted.
Personalize the letter below by entering your specifics
in the areas in red. You can print
out this Web page and make your changes by hand or copy the body
of the letter and paste it into a document where you can make your
changes on your PC.
If you prefer to see a .pdf version of the letter,
click
here.
Date
Equifax Credit Information Services Inc.
https://www.econsumer.equifax.com/consumer/forward.ehtml?forward=home
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
TransUnion LLC
http://www.transunion.com/Personal/OrderOtherMethods.jsp
Consumer Disclosure Center
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
Experian
http://www.experian.com/consumer/index.html
National Consumer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
Re: Credit report error
Dear Sir or Madam:
I have discovered inaccurate information on my credit
report maintained by credit agency name.
The report is in my name -- enter your full
name here -- and my Social Security number is enter
your Social Security number here.
Enclosed, please find a copy of my credit report containing
the mistaken data. I have highlighted the errors. Specifically,
the following information is in wrong:
The Fair Credit Reporting Act
following defines the following as billing errors that must be corrected.
Pick those that apply to your situation and detail for the credit
bureau what you believe is the mistake. Be sure to list the creditor's
name and account number for which the incorrect data appears:
- A purchase made by someone
other than the account's authorized user or something that you
did not buy.
- A disagreement between the
purchase price and the price shown on the bill.
- A charge for a product or
service that was not delivered according to agreement.
- Mathematical errors.
- Questionable items or any
entries for which you need more information.
Please investigate this matter with the creditor in
question and you should find there is an error. When that is confirmed,
please remove this error from my credit report.
In addition, please make this letter a permanent part
of my credit record.
If you have any questions about my request or the
credit information in question, please do not hesitate to call me
at work or home phone number, depending upon
when you would prefer to discuss the matter.
Thank you for your prompt attention to my request.
Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Your Address
City, State and ZIP Code
Enclosure: credit report
|
