| Like the responsible person that your are, you order | | | | days of receipt of notice and 2) you will be certain the |
| and review your credit report every 12 months. Since | | | | credit bureau received your information. Now, while |
| you usually agree with everything on the credit report, | | | | they may investigate your claim within 30 days, don't |
| this is normally a routine, mundane procedure - until this | | | | expect resolution that quickly. There investigation can |
| time that is. This time you discover an error. Naturally, | | | | take longer than30 days. In fact, the entire process can |
| your first question is likely "How do I fix my credit | | | | take up to 90 days or longer to complete. |
| report?" Let's walk through the procedure. | | | | Of course, keep your own copies of the letter and |
| Credit Fix Step 1 - Make copies of everything that you | | | | supporting documentation. |
| think will be helpful to prove the error | | | | Credit Fix Step 3: Contact the merchant |
| You will have to send documentation to both the credit | | | | Again in writing, contact the creditor or other entity that |
| reporting agency and the creditor to support your error | | | | provided the item(s) in question and inform them that |
| claim. These entities usually accept copies so you don't | | | | you are disputing the information they provided to the |
| want to send the originals. Obviously, by retaining the | | | | credit bureau. Follow the same procedures in step 2 |
| originals, you will always be able to replace lost copies. | | | | above. Additionally, ask the creditor to copy you on all |
| By retaining the originals, you will also have your own | | | | information they supply to the credit reporting agency. |
| documentation for future follow-up. | | | | Once a claim has been filed, the creditor has to include |
| Credit Fix Step 2 - Contact the Credit Reporting | | | | the fact that a claim has been filed anytime they |
| Agency | | | | report the same information that caused the dispute in |
| The credit reporting agency, or credit bureau, must | | | | the first place in any further reports to the credit |
| investigate all legitimate, written questions, so make | | | | bureau (until it is resolved). Remember though, that |
| sure you put your claim in writing. Negative but | | | | negative but accurate information is not grounds for a |
| accurate information does not constitute a legitimate | | | | claim. |
| claim. To minimize possible damage to your reputation, | | | | Because of the important role credit reports place in |
| always file your claim as soon as you possibly can. | | | | society today, fixing errors on your report is vitally |
| In your written claim to the credit bureau, Include your | | | | important. Since items can stay on your credit report |
| name and address and provide a narrative of the | | | | for seven to 10 years, it is even more important that |
| item(s) in your report that you believe is wrong. Clearly | | | | you take action right away to fix any potential error. |
| and concisely explain why you believe the item(s) is | | | | These are the three steps that you will need to follow |
| wrong and request that they remove the item from | | | | to answer the question; "how do I fix my credit |
| your report. Also include copies (made in Step 1 | | | | report?" Of course, filing a claim doesn't ensure that |
| above) supporting your position. When you mail this | | | | the credit bureau and/or the creditor will agree with |
| information to the credit bureau, send it by certified mail | | | | your claim. Filing a claims only ensures that there will be |
| with return receipt requested. This will document when | | | | an investigation. If the credit bureau's investigation |
| the credit agency received your information. This is | | | | discovers that there was no error, the information will |
| important for two reasons; 1) the credit bureau is | | | | stay on your credit report, with no indication of claim. |
| required to investigate all legitimate claims within 30 | | | | |