For most credit report issues, contacting the creditor is a first step.
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Before you contact the credit agencies concerning an issue, you will need to record the error and what the correction actually is. While doing this, you will need to collect as much proof, records and receipts as possible – the burden of proof falls onto you.
Begin by disputing an item in your credit report
You start by telling the credit bureau what information is inaccurate. Once you start this action, the credit bureau will start an investigation within 30 days; unless the action seems frivolous.
What will they need of you?
- Pointing out what item is inaccurate
- Specify the fact of the item (which would make it correct)
- Any contact from the creditor over mail, email, etc
- Receipts from payments you have made
- Requesting a deletion or correction
Note: only include copies of your documents here, not the originals!
Next what happens
You should follow up this action with a letter to the creditor. This letter should be specific, and discuss the matter at hand – that you are disputing an item they are a creditor of within your credit report.
As in the credit agency, include copies of all the supporting evidence of your claim.
Note that many creditors have specific addresses for disputes.