Fixing your credit should not be an overwhelming task! If you find that your credit is lower than you believe it should be, then there are a couple of actions that you can take...
First, tell the Credit Reporting Agency (CRA) in writing what information you believe is inaccurate. Include copies (NOT originals) of documents that support your position. Your letter should include your complete name and address and clearly identify each item you are disputing. You should state the facts and explain why you believe the information to be incorrect and request deletion or correction. You may want to enclose a copy of your report with the items in question circled. Send your letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the CRA received. Keep copies of your dispute letter and enclosures.
Credit Reporting Agencies (there are three: Experian, Equifax, Trans Union) must investigate the items in question. They must forward all of the relevant data you provide about the dispute to the information provider. After the information provider receives notice of a dispute from the Credit Reporting Agency, it must investigate, review all relevant information provided by the Credit Reporting Agency, and report the results to the Credit Reporting Agency. If the information provider finds the disputed information to be inaccurate, it must notify all nationwide Credit Reporting Agencies so they can correct this information in your file.
If there is any disputed information on your credit report that the provider cannot verify, then the Credit Reporting Agency must delete it from your file!
If your credit report contains any erroneous information, the Credit Reporting Agency must fix it!
If your file shows an account that belongs only to another person, the Credit Reporting Agency must delete it.
When the investigation is complete, the Credit Reporting Agency must provide you with the written results of their investigation and a free copy of your report if the dispute results in a change.
Also, if you request it, the Credit Reporting Agency must send notices of corrections to anyone who has requested and received your report in the past six months.
You can check your credit by logging on to one of the many sites on the Internet that provide you with free credit reports or you can contact one of the Credit Reporting Agencies directly. You can call or write a letter to one of the agencies below stating your concerns and/or discrepancies according to the concepts stated above.
Credit Reporting Agencies
Experian
P.O. Box 9600
Allen, Texas 75013
800 311-4769
www.experian.com
Equifax
P.O. Box 105873
Atlanta, Georgia 30348
800 685-1111
www.equifax.com
Trans Union
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, Pa. 19022
800 888-4213
www.transunion.com