Steps to Take to Correct a Credit Report Error
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act you have the right to request a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus once every 12 months. The annual reports are free of charge. Reviewing one of your free credit reports every three or four months allows you to quickly detect any erroneous information that may adversely affect your credit score and your ability to obtain lines of credit. If you do find an error, you can contact a credit report lawyer in Fairfax to assist you with any inaccurate credit report items.
Submitting a Credit Report Dispute Letter
Your credit lawyer can review your credit report dispute letter that you intend to send to the credit bureaus. The dispute letter should clearly identify the erroneous information and concisely explain why it is inaccurate. It should state that the inaccurate information should be removed or corrected. A credit report attorney will recommend that the dispute letter is accompanied by all necessary documentation to support your claim. For example, it may be a good idea to enclose copies of your credit report, account statements, or receipts. Do not send original documents. Your credit lawyer will advise you to mail the dispute letter via certified mail, return receipt requested. Be sure to sign your dispute letter and keep a copy of the dispute letter for your records.
Contacting the Furnisher
The furnisher is the creditor or other entity that reported the erroneous information to the credit reporting bureau. You may submit a similar dispute letter to the furnisher with copies of your credit report and supporting documents, but do not fail to send a notice of dispute to the credit reporting agencies as you need to notify them to protect all of your rights.
Receiving Written Notices
Credit reporting bureaus are required to investigate disputes within a reasonable time period. Usually, this is 30 days. Likewise, the furnisher must investigate the dispute and report its findings to the credit bureau. Sometimes credit reporting agencies send consumers a letter stating that a credit dispute is frivolous, suspicious, or irrelevant. If you receive a letter like that after initiating a credit dispute, you should contact a credit report lawyer immediately. After investigating the information, the credit reporting agency will send you written notice regarding its findings.
