how can mistakes get on my credit report?
if your credit report contains errors, it is often because the report is incomplete, or contains information about someone else. this typically happens because:
you applied for credit under different names (robert jones, bob jones, etc...).
someone made a clerical error in reading or entering name or address information from a hand-written application
you gave an inaccurate social security number, or the number was misread by the lender.
loan or credit card information was inadvertently applied to the wrong account.
fixing errors on your report
it's possible for incorrect, incomplete or outdated information to appear on your credit report. if it does, it can drastically lower your chances of getting the loans, credit cards, and other credit products you deserve. if you find an error, take the following steps to fix it as soon as possible. if you see evidence of fraud, contact the credit reporting companies immediately. explain the situation and ask that a fraud alert be placed in your file. also report the fraud to the police, and your creditors.
contact the credit reporting company
contact the credit reporting company that is reporting the item in question. you will need a printed copy of your credit report from them, which you may be eligible to receive free of charge. after you send written documentation of the inaccuracy, the credit reporting company will review it. if further investigation is required, they will provide notification of your dispute, including the relevant information you submitted, to the source that furnished the disputed information to them.
the source will then review the information, conduct their own investigation, and report back. the credit reporting company will then make all appropriate changes to your credit file based on the investigation, and notify you of the update.
contact the creditor regarding the problem
in some cases, you should contact the appropriate creditor or lender before contacting a credit reporting company. this is especially true if you are a victim of fraud. you should also contact the appropriate creditor or lender if that source has verified the information that you disputed with the credit reporting company. most large creditors have standard procedures for customers to dispute items on their account. if you have proof that the item in question is incorrect, it should be resolved quickly. if the creditor finds that the disputed information is indeed incorrect, the creditor is required under the fair credit reporting act to update its records both internally and with the credit reporting companies it deals with, usually within 30 days. always follow up your phone calls with a letter. list each disputed item, and state how it is inaccurate
you can also buy your credit report and dispute any errors by contacting the three major credit bureaus directly or by contacting fair isaac corporation, the only source for all three of your FICO scores:
myFICO®
800.319.4433
www.myfico.com
equifax:
800.685.1111
www.equifax.com
experian (formerly trw):
888.397.3742
www.experian.com
transunion:
800.888.4213
www.transunion.com