3
DIY
Step 1: Tell the credit reporting company, in writing,
what information you think is inaccurate. Include copies
(NOT originals) of any documents that support your
position. In addition to including your complete name
and address, your letter should identify each item in your
report that you dispute; state the facts and the reasons
you dispute the information, and ask that it be removed
or corrected. You may want to enclose a copy of your
report, and circle the items in question. Send your letter
by certified mail, “return receipt requested,” so you can
document that the credit reporting company got it. Keep
copies of your dispute letter and enclosures.
Credit reporting companies must investigate the items
you question within 30 days — unless they consider
your dispute frivolous. They also must forward all the
relevant data you provide about the inaccuracy to the
organization that provided the information. After the
information provider gets notice of a dispute from the
credit reporting company, it must investigate, review the
relevant information, and report the results back to the
credit reporting company. If the investigation reveals that
the disputed information is inaccurate, the information
provider has to notify the nationwide credit reporting
companies so they can correct it in your file.
When the investigation is complete, the credit reporting
company must give you the results in writing, too, and a
free copy of your report if the dispute results in a change.
If an item is changed or deleted, the credit reporting
company cannot put the disputed information back in
your file unless the information provider verifies that it’s