Disputing errors on your credit report is one of the most important steps you need to take when cleaning up your credit report. Any misinformation on your report will negatively affect the quality of your report and most likely lower your credit score. That is why you must dispute errors on your credit report as soon as you find them. You can also have negative information deleted to further improve your credit.
How do errors end up on your credit report?
It is not hard to dispute credit report errors. You just need to follow the proper steps from start to finish.
Before I show you how to dispute items on your credit report, I want you to understand how your credit report is computed. All your creditors such as credit card providers, banks, loan providers, rent payments, etc, submit your activities to credit reporting companies (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian).
Credit reporting companies then put all that information together in a format that is easy to read and understand. The outcome is your credit report.
If there is an error on your credit report, you can see that it is either due to the people who compiled your credit report or the people who submitted your information to credit reporting companies.
So, how do you dispute an error on your credit report?
Now that you know how errors could end up on your credit reports, it is time to evaluate how to dispute these errors.
In order to dispute credit report errors, you need to contact your credit reporting companies or companies that submitted information to reporting bureaus.
There are three major credit reporting companies in the USA which are:
- Experian
- Equifax, and
- TransUnion
Your credit report is most like compiled by some of these bureaus. If there is an error(s) on your report, you should dispute them with these reporting companies. Make sure that you report them to the specific company that compiled your report.
If you don’t want to dispute items on your credit report with the credit reporting companies; dispute the errors to companies that provided your information to reporting companies.
For example, if your report shows an active debt that you finished paying off; you can contact your creditor and have them correct the mistake.
You can also dispute the error to reporting companies and companies that reported your information at the same time. This way you will make sure that all companies are on the same page regarding your report.
There are times when your debt could be submitted to a third party for collections. In this case, you can dispute the error or wrong information regarding your debt to the collection agency. The collection company is also known as the furnisher.
Where to dispute errors on your credit report?
Now you know that you need to dispute errors as soon as possible. The next question is: How to get in touch with credit reporting bureaus regarding errors on your report?
Each credit reporting company has many ways you can reach them. Whether you want to contact them by phone, email, or by mail, the information is always available.
Below is a list of contact information of three major reporting companies.
Credit disputes Equifax
In order to dispute errors with Equifax, you will first need to know the nature of the dispute. Equifax suggests that it makes sense to dispute information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or is a result of fraud.
Once your dispute is received, the bureau will investigate and return the findings within 30 days. If your information needs to be updated, they will also update your report.
Once you are ready to file a dispute, you can use one of the following methods.
- Dispute online: File a dispute online from the Equifax website.
- By phone: 1-(866)-349-5191 or use the number listed on your report
- By mail: You will need to download the dispute form and mail it together with your letter explaining the nature of your dispute. Use the following mailing address:
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30348
Credit disputes TransUnion
TransUnion has a number of ways you can use to dispute credit report errors. Just like Equifax, if you see information on your TransUnion report that you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or simply fraud, dispute that information as soon as possible. The faster you get this matter taken care of, the better.
The following are ways you can use when disputing errors on your credit report with TransUnion.
- Dispute errors online: Dispute errors on your report on the TransUnion website
- By phone: 1-(800)-916-8800. You can also use the number provided in your credit report.
- By mail: If you choose the mail option, make sure that you download the dispute form for TransUnion and mail your form and dispute letter to the following address.
TransUnion LLC
Consumer Dispute Center
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Credit disputes Experian
Disputing errors with Experian is straightforward like other reporting companies. Choose one of the following methods and get errors on your report taken care of.
- Dispute online: Dispute errors online
- By phone: 1-(888)-397-3742 or use the number provided on your report
- By mail: If you choose to dispute information on your credit report online, you will need to download the Experian dispute form and submit it together with your dispute letter and other supporting documents to the following mailing address.
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
Disputing errors to companies that provided your information to reporting companies
The address, phone number, and mailing address you will need when disputing errors to your creditors will vary. You will need to locate the business associated with the error reported in your report.
After finding the business, reach out for dispute procedures or proper steps you need to take to get the matter handled.
What information do you need when disputing errors on your credit report?
When disputing errors on your credit report, the reporting company will need to verify your identity. On top of account ownership verification, you will need to present your case in a professional way with supporting documents. Preparation is the foundation of every success. In short, you will need:
- A dispute form(for the mail option)
- A dispute letter containing all your information
- Supporting documents
- Describe the nature of the error
The dispute form will differ from one company to another. I have attached these forms for all three reporting companies. Please check the previous sections for the dispute forms.
The letter you send to reporting companies, however, could be the same. But it must contain at least the following information.
- Your full name, contact information, and mailing address
- Phone number (cell, and office when possible)
- The report confirmation number(if you have it)
- List all mistakes you are disputing(circle them if possible and provide a copy of your report where there are mistakes for clarifications)
- Clearly explain why you think there is a mistake in the information reported in the report
- Ask the reporting company to either correct the information or remove it from your report
- You must also provide extra supporting documents. For example, provide receipts and other documentation that support your argument.
After gathering all your information, you can submit your dispute using one of the methods we described above for each reporting company.
What to expect after reporting an error on your report
After receiving your dispute, credit reporting companies will conduct an investigation regarding your dispute. If your dispute is strong and they decide to do something about it, they will notify you about their findings and the steps they are taking to correct the mistake.
Usually, they will correct the mistakes in your report.
The same will apply when you disputed an error with the company that reported your information to credit reporting companies. If your creditors find your dispute to be valid, they will notify all reporting companies where they submitted the working information. Once the new information has been received by reporting companies, your credit report will be updated.
On the other hand, if your dispute is found to be irrelevant, you will be notified. The agency in the matter may choose to do nothing about the dispute. However, you will most likely be notified.
