Avoid these mistakes when disputing your credit report

Successfully disputing inaccurate information in your credit report is a straightforward process, but take care to avoid making one of these common mistakes.

1. You didn’t dispute the error with both parties

Most mistakes to your credit report involve two parties: the credit agency and the lender. It may seem easier to send your dispute only to the credit agency, but doing so reduces your chance of success. Send your dispute letter and evidence to both parties.

2. You lost evidence

If you cannot get your credit report corrected using the normal dispute channels, you may need to consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the credit reporting agency. You won’t get far with your case, however, if you didn’t save evidence proving the mistake is real – and that you’ve been substantially harmed. You will be asked to produce evidence showing there’s factual disagreement about what happened and how you were negatively affected by the result. You should save documents such as certified mail receipts that show the credit bureau received your dispute, and all of your financial paperwork, including any denials of credit that you have received.

3. You didn't include enough information in your dispute

Just because you can file your dispute online doesn’t mean you should. Those online forms don’t provide much room to state your case in detail. By sending a detailed letter with supporting evidence it reduces the likelihood that the credit reporting agency can say they did not receive enough information to properly investigate your claim.

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