How To Fix Your Credit Report

Learn How To Fix Your Credit Report And Stay On Top Of It

Why would your report need fixing?

Credit reporting agencies are operated by humans and humans can make errors. Computers can also make mistakes when matching information form one person to another. Given the chance of human error and computer glitches there is always a chance that information gathered is not as accurate as it could be. There have been horror stories of people who have had their identities stolen and have found bills and loans on their credit report that they didn't initiate. This fact alone can be a primary reason for needing to look at and fix your credit report.

How can you fix your credit report?

The first step is to obtain a credit report from all credit reporting agencies. Currently there are three major ones: Transunion, Experian, and Equifax. All of them have information about your payment history and all of them should be looked at. The next step is to identify those accounts that you feel are inaccurate. These can be accounts that have been paid off but aren't being reported as paid in your report or ones that have been paid on time but is not being reflected on your report. There can also be a chance that some of the accounts aren't really yours or that you didn't initiate them. After this is done it is important to gather information to show the agency that these accounts are inaccurate. You can provide it for them or have the agency request the information from them. It is best to have the information yourself and then submit it to the agency so that you can keep a record of it but the choice is always yours.

How can you stay on top of things?

Calling the agency is a good idea. You can send letters to them and keep track of their responses. Check the internet to see if you can communicate with the agencies that way. Always keep records of when you called, whom you spoke with, and what information you sent them. Remember to keep copies of all documents that you have sent just in case you need to send them again.