Credit Reports Online - Credit Reports Explained - Credit Agencies

If you find an error in your credit report concerning the completeness or accuracy of the information, contact the credit agency showing the error immediately. After you speak with the agency, follow up with a letter to the agency that explains your complaint if documentation is required. The credit agency is required to investigate your complaint and remove the error from your report if it can't find adequate support for the information. The information will remain on your credit report if the agency finds support for it. However, you can file a statement to be included with your credit report explaining your side of the information. Simply write a brief explanation (100 words or less) and provide it to the agency. You may also request correction directly with the credit granter (i.e.: Macy's), asking that they provide an updated to the bureau as well.

Sample Dispute Letter
(words in parenthesis are explationations.
There shouldn't be any parenthesis in your letter.)

Date

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code

Complaint Department
Name of Credit Reporting Agency (here is a list of the agencies)
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to dispute certain erroneous information contained in my file. The item(s) I dispute are encircled on the attached copy of the report I received on (DATE). (Identify item(s) disputed by name of source, such as creditors like American Express or tax court, and identify type of item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.)

This item(s) is (inaccurate or incomplete) because (describe what is
inaccurate or incomplete and why). I am requesting that the item be
deleted (or request another specific change) to correct the information.

Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence if applicable and describe any enclosed documentation, such as payment records, court documents, canceled checks) supporting my position. Please reinvestigate (this or these) matter(s) and (delete or correct) the disputed item(s) as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Your name

Encl.: (List what you are enclosing)

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