Correcting Your Credit Report

Put this on your list and make it a top priority: check credit report every year. If there are errors on your credit report, you will want to know about it as soon as possible so that you can take action to get the facts straight because it will affect your credit report score and your ability to be issued a credit card.

You can get a free credit report from a couple different sources. If you apply for a credit card and are turned down, that credit card company will provide you with an address you can write to within 60 days to get a free credit report. You are entitled to this service of a free credit report by virtue of applying for credit. There is also a web site available, www.annualcreditreport.com, which enables you to get a free credit report to check your credit report score once a year. If you don’t utilize either of these methods, you can write to one of the credit bureau for a report, but it will cost you a fee.

If you notice something amiss on your credit report, you should begin to rectify the situation by contacting the company that is reporting the problem immediately by phone. Talk with them; see how or why the error occurred and ask what you can do to get it corrected. Most often, you will need to submit a written letter stating why you believe their report is erroneous, and send copies of any documentation you possess pointing to why their records are incorrect. Also ask that company to send a notice to all three credit card bureaus that participate in credit reporting (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion LLC) that you are in disagreement with their findings and are working to solve the matter. By doing this, a notation will be placed in your file for any future check credit report options by anyone wanting to determine a credit report score for you.

You can send a letter to each of the three credit card bureaus yourself, as well, to make sure they are aware of the situation. It doesn’t hurt to expend extra effort to make sure all parties involved are aware there is a problem and you are working to get it fixed.

Mistakes happen, but the sooner you know about them and can correct them, the easier your life will be.