How to dispute incorrect information on your credit report (PREPARING FOR HOME OWNERSHIP)

1. HOW TO DISPUTE
INCORRECT INFORMATION
ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT

2. Did you know that the federal law allows you
to:
 Request a free copy of your credit report every 12
months from each of the three main credit bureau.
 Ensure that the information on your credit reports is
correct and up to date.
 For the free copy of your credit reports
 Visit www.annualcreditreport.com or Call 877-322-8228

 You can order all three reports at once or space them out throughout the year

3. As part of the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you
are also entitled to receive a free copy of your Credit Report
if:
 You were denied credit or were notified of an adverse action related to
credit

You are a victim of identity theft.

You have reason to believe your credit report contains inaccurate
information do to fraud.

You are unemployed and expects to apply for a job within the next 60
days.

You are on public assistance.

4. Great News :
It's free to dispute information that is incomplete,
inaccurate or the result of fraud.

5. “
”
CORRECT INCORRECT
INFORMATION IN JUST 2 STEPS
Step 1: Dispute the incorrect information with the credit bureaus
Step 2: Dispute the incorrect information with (the furnisher) company who
provided the information

6. Step 1:
Dispute the incorrect information
with the credit bureaus.

7. Contact the nationwide credit
reporting companies
(Experian, Equifax,
and/or Transunion) online, mail or
by phone.
 Your dispute letter should include:
 Contact information (full name, date of
birth, address, and telephone number
Driver’s license number and Social
security number are optional)
 Today’s date
 Report confirmation number, if available
 Identify each mistake, for example
account number for each account you
are disputing
 Dates of disputed information and Why
you are disputing the information
 Company that provided the disputed
information
 Request the information be corrected or
removed
 Enclose a copy of the portion of your
credit report that shows the errors
(circle or highlight the disputed items).
 List any enclosures that are included
Explain what you believe is wrong and why.
You must include copies (not originals) of
documents that support your dispute.

8. SAMPLE LETTER
Jane Doe
Account # 555-1234
DOB 01-01-1990
5643 Third Road
Greensboro, NC 27407
10/1/2015
TransUnion LLC
Consumer Dispute Center
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Dear TransUnion:
I am writing to request an investigation of the following information that appears on my TransUnion Consumer Report:
Dispute 1
Account # 555-1234
Dates Associated with item being disputed: 05-01-2016
Explanation of item being disputed: The account with Big Bear Bank in question is showing as settled for less than full value, however I paid
the full amount owed. Please update to reflect paid in full.
Enclosures :
Copy of credit report with report number # 555-1234
Last billing statement from Big Bear Bank
Payoff Statement from Big Bear Bank
Thank you
Sincerely,
Jane Doe

9. CREDIT BUREAU CONTACT
INFORMATION

10. Equifax
 By mail:
 DOWNLOAD DISPUTE FORM
 http://www.equifax.com/cp/MailInDi
slcosureRequest.pdf
 Mail the dispute form with your letter
to:
 Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
Online:
https://www.equifax.com/personal/disputes
By phone: (866) 349-5191 or phone number
on your credit report

11. Experian
 By mail: Use mailing address on your
credit report or mail your letter to:
 Experian’s National Consumer
Assistance Center
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
Online:
www.experian.com/disputes/main.html
By phone: (877)284-7942 or phone number
on your credit report

12. TransUnion
 DOWNLOAD DISPUTE FORM

https://www.transunion.com/docs/re
v/personal/InvestigationRequest.pdf
Mail the dispute form with your letter to:
 TransUnion Consumer Solutions
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016-2000
Online: https://dispute.transunion.com
By phone: (800) 916-8800

13. SUGGESTION:
Send your letter by certified mail and ask for a return receipt to keep record
that your letter was received.

14. Step 2:
Dispute the incorrect information with (the
furnisher) company who provided the
information

15. SAMPLE LETTER
Jane Doe
Account # 555-1234
DOB 01-01-1990
5643 Third Road
Greensboro, NC 27407
10/1/2015
Big Bear Bank
P.O. Box 2001
Chester, PA 19016
Dear Big Bear Bank:
I am writing to request an investigation of the following information that appears on my
TransUnion Consumer Report:
Dispute 1
Account # 555-1234
Dates Associated with item being disputed: 05-01-2016
Explanation of item being disputed: The account in question is showing as settled for less
than full value, however I paid the full amount owed. Please update to reflect paid in full.
Enclosures :
Copy of credit report with report number # 555-1234
Last billing statement from Big Bear Bank
Payoff Statement from Big Bear Bank
Thank you
Sincerely,
Jane Doe

16. AFTER THE DISPUTE
 CREDIT BUREAUS
 must investigate your dispute
 forward all documents to furnisher
 report results to you (unless they
determine your claim is frivolous)
 FURNISHER
 must notify the credit reporting
companies to update their reports
with the correct information
(unless they determine your claim
is frivolous)

17. If the credit bureaus and/or furnisher determines
that your dispute is frivolous
They will sends you a notice within five days to advise you they will not be
investigating your dispute.
You may request the credit bureaus include a statement explaining the dispute
in your credit file. This statement will be provided to whoever requests your
credit report.

18. Tisha Jackson
North Carolina’s Favorite Mortgage Consultant
NMLS 1599956
Please Email Questions to Tisha01@outlook.com or call 336-638-0120