| Checking your credit report at least once a year is a | | | | the company is not investigating the wrong item. |
| great way to keep your credit clean and make sure | | | | Clearly state why you feel the item is incorrect and be |
| you get the lowest advertised rates on everything | | | | sure to include any supporting documentation that |
| from car loans to mortgages to cell phones, but what | | | | demonstrates why this is correct. Examples could |
| do you do when you find an inaccuracy on your credit | | | | include items like a payoff letter, a statement showing |
| report? | | | | a zero balance or something similar. |
| Situations like these can be frustrating but rest assured | | | | By law credit agencies must take your complaint |
| there is something you can do about it and you don't | | | | seriously and investigate your claim within 30 days so |
| need a credit repair company to help you. Everything | | | | you should expect an answer within a few weeks |
| you need to repair your credit can be done by | | | | from when your letter is received. Just to be sure the |
| yourself. | | | | agency receives the letter in a timely fashion, make |
| Let's say that you find an item on your credit report | | | | sure you send the letter certified and keep a copy of |
| that you think is inaccurate and for this example we | | | | everything for yourself. If you do not hear back from |
| will say it's an old credit card that you paid off years | | | | them within 30-40 days give their customer support |
| ago that is now showing an unpaid balance. The first | | | | line a call and ask what the status of your report is. |
| thing you should do is contact the reporting credit | | | | Bottom line, if you feel that you have an error on your |
| agency by in writing and let them know that you found | | | | credit report don't let it go unresolved and don't feel like |
| an item on your report that you feel is inaccurate and | | | | you have to spend hundreds of dollars for a company |
| should be removed. | | | | to clean it up for you. Credit agencies are there to help |
| Your letter should be as specific as possible to | | | | you and ensure that their product is fair and accurate. |
| prevent any confusion. You may want to include a | | | | Almost all problems can be resolved simply by sending |
| copy of your credit report along with your letter and | | | | a letter you can rest easy knowing your credit report |
| clearly mark the item (in this case the credit card with | | | | is in good hands. |
| the unpaid balance) that you are contesting to be sure | | | | |