Fix Credit Report Errors, Credit Report Dispute, Credit Errors

What About Credit Report Errors?

Credit Report Dispute, Errors or Incompleteness

The FCRA requires that both the reporting companies [Experian (888-397-3742), Equifax (800-525-6285) and TransUnion (800-680-7289) ] and the person, organization or company which provided them information must correct inaccurate or incomplete information in your credit report. If you find anything that needs correcting, contact both the reporting company and the one who gave them the information.

You can get the inaccurate information corrected yourself, but the process is complicated and time consuming. If you find the task intimidating or if you've tried to get inaccurate information corrected without success, you may want to check out using a company which specializes in fixing credit report errors.

Contact the Reporting Company (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion)

Contact them in writing, spelling out the information you think is wrong or incomplete. Unless they consider it a frivolous dispute,

• They must investigate, usually within 30 days.
• They must forward all the information you sent them to the information provider.
• When the information provider receives a notice about a dispute, they must investigate and report back to the reporting company. If they find that you are right, they must notify all three reporting companies so your report can be corrected.

You have the right to
have credit errors fixed.

After the investigation is complete

The reporting company must send you the results in writing.

If you are right, they must give you a free copy of your report. This report does not count as you annual free one.

If you are right, the disputed information cannot be put back into your file unless it is later found to be accurate and complete.

The reporting company must send you, in writing, the contact information (name, address and phone number) of the information provider.

The Information Provider (Person, Organization or Company)

Tell the information provider in writing that you dispute what they reported. There may be a specific address for disputes. Call them and ask.

If they report the information to a reporting company, they must tell them that you dispute it. If it is found that you are correct, they may not provide that information again.

What to Do If the Reporting Company or
the Company Which Provided the Information
Will Not Correct the Error

If you are not satisfied with the results of the investigation, do the following:

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion

Tell them to include a statement of your dispute in your file and future credit reports.

Tell them to provide a copy of your statement to anyone who has received your report recently.

You may need to pay a fee to have them do this.

The Information Provider

Tell the company or person who provided the inaccurate information to include a notice of your dispute anytime they report to Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.

How Long Can the Reporting Company Keep Negative Information?

7 Years:

• Accurate negative information
  
  
• Lawsuit or judgment against you (Longer if the statute of limitations is longer.)

10 Years:

• Bankruptcy

No Time Limit:

• Criminal convictions
  
  
• Your application for a job that pays more than $75,000 per year.
  
  
• Your application for more than $150,000 life insurance.
  
  
• Your application for more than $150,000 credit.

To File a Complaint

To report fraudulent, deceptive or unfair business practices,

• Go to ftc.gov   or
  
  
• Call toll free 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357). TTY: 866-653-4261