Credit Report Disputing

Even though the three major credit bureaus like to boast that they have the exact credit information on everyone right all the time, that is far from the case. An examination of many consumers’ credit reports will show inaccuracies, which should immediately be addressed through the credit report disputing process. Credit report disputing is frequently a long and irritating series of steps that need to be repeated several times, but credit report disputing can have damaging, inaccurate information removed from your report and improve your overall credit score.

If a consumer reviews their report and recognizes that some information on their report is inaccurate, they can initiate the credit report disputing process by writing to each of the three major credit bureaus. In order to ensure success in the credit report disputing process, the consumer must point out the information they are disputing and provide a reason for their disputing it--for instance, an address on the credit report where the individual never lived, or a balance on a credit card that was never used or issued.

Once the consumer starts the credit report disputing process, they will have to wait for a period of time--probably a month--to see if the credit bureaus have responded to their disputing of information. If the bureaus do not, the consumer should continue the credit report disputing process by writing again and, if possible, calling the bureaus. Keeping constant tabs on the situation regarding the dispute may help push the process forward.

There can be an even more serious reason for credit report disputing--identity theft. If a consumer falls victim to identity theft and negative information is added to their credit report, the consumer should contact all three bureaus as soon as they realize this criminal act has occurred. In order to help support their case, they should get a police report on the incident from local authorities and send copies of it to the credit bureaus. Due to the gravity of this kind of situation, the consumer should press strongly and frequently to have the information removed from their credit report, as they are being held responsible for actions that were not theirs.