Credit report errors are common, but that doesn’t mean disputing them with the credit bureaus is an easy or straightforward process. Whether you’ve been mistakenly marked as deceased on your credit report, information on your report has been mixed with someone else’s, or you have any other error, you need to take quick action to protect your credit and your financial future.
Unfortunately, it can be challenging to remove a credit report error, since you often need to contact all three of the major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The best way to dispute credit report errors is by partnering with expert credit dispute attorneys, like the team at Boss Law. We take care of the entire process and pursue compensation for your damages, when applicable, with no out of pocket cost to you. Here’s a step-by-step guide to how Boss Law corrects mistakes on your credit report.
- Check All Three Credit Reports
The process starts by checking all three of the Big Three credit reports for errors. You may notice small differences among your reports since creditors typically don’t report your account activity to every bureau. If negative information exists on your credit reports, we begin the process of filing a dispute with each bureau.
- Gather Materials to Dispute Errors
Each of the major credit bureaus receive thousands of disputes every day. As we start the dispute process, we make it as quick and easy as possible for investigators to confirm that your complaint is a valid one. Depending on the error(s), we gather the following materials to support your side:
- Copies of bank statements, credit card statements, or loan documents
- Copies of birth or death certificates, or divorce decrees
- Copies of your FTC complaint or a police report (if you’ve reported identity theft)
In addition to sending any of the supporting documents above, we include the following documentation—no matter the nature of your dispute:
- A copy of a government-issued ID (like a driver’s license or passport)
- A copy of a bank statement, insurance statement, or utility bill that includes your name and address
- Documentation of your Social Security number and date of birth
- Documentation proving your current and past addresses (over the past two years)
- File the Dispute With Each Bureau
All of the Big Three credit bureaus have an online dispute process, and it’s typically the fastest way to resolve errors. You can also write a letter or call the credit bureaus, but it’s often hard to succeed over the phone. We have extensive experience working directly with CRAS to expedite the dispute process, getting errors fixed and pursuing a legal case, when applicable.
- Review Responses
The credit bureaus are bound by the Fair Credit Reporting Act to investigate your dispute and tell you the outcome in writing. Most bureaus are required to respond within 30 days. If the credit bureau agrees an error exists on your credit report, they will remove it and send you a new copy of your report. If the credit bureau disagrees, we take all necessary legal action, filing a cause of action/lawsuit when necessary.
The Best Way to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Dealing with credit bureaus is tedious and time-consuming, leaving many consumers frustrated. It’s all too easy for a dispute letter or your proof documents to fall through the cracks, causing errors on your credit report to linger and affect your creditworthiness. Luckily, you don’t have to go it alone. The dedicated team of expert credit dispute attorneys at Boss Law is standing by to help. We’ll deal with the credit bureaus and make sure any error on your credit report is corrected, so you can protect your financial future. Call us today at (727) 877-3188 to schedule your free consultation.