Re: What are the steps to clear mistake on record at Bureau?

Posted by CardReport.Com on October 27, 2000 at 02:05:45:

In Reply to: What are the steps to clear mistake on record at Bureau? posted by Help please on October 24, 2000 at 20:05:18:

If you don't have copies of all three of your major
bureau reports: Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union,
you can find out how to obtain them in our
*Credit Overview* section.

Since the credit bureaus are separate, competing
companies, which do *not* share information, you
will have to contact each one separately. They
each have a snail-mail address to write to with
consumer disputes like this.

Send a brief (no more than two pages) letter
(mailed certified-return-receipt at the counter of
a post office), explaining very simply and clearly
what you think is wrong. Do *not* go into a long
story about any general finaicial problems you have
had just give the information for the particular
item you are disputing (e.g. "XYZ Bank Card, account
# xxx-xxx-xxx), and one or two sentances, like:

This account isn't mine.

This account was never paid late.

These two items are actually the same account, and
should be combined.

...Or whatever fits your specific problem. If it
is identification (name, address, SSN, etc.), give
them the correct info.

If you have some idea of what might have caused the
error, then perhaps mention that briefly, to help
convince them that a mistake really occurred (e.g.
"I am John Smith, Jr., and this item belongs to me
father, John Smith, Sr.")

Mention at the end of your letter that, in the event
that any items are confirmed as being correct, that
you wish to receive the name and address of exactly
who confirmed it.

In the case of account information, the credit
bureau will then contact the creditor that reported
the item, and ask them to re-check their records.
The credit bureau will then write back to you, to
let you know the results of the re-investigation.
Figure on about a 45-day total turnaround time
(maybe less.)

If the erroneous information is confirmed by the
creditor, then you will need to write directly
to the creditor, and explain your problem.

Feel free to post here again, with your results.

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