Correcting Credit Report Errors
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 --
Equifax,
TransUnion and
Experian-- 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.
(Copy the body of the letter and paste it
into a document where you can make your changes on your PC.)
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
