An error on your credit report could make it difficult to get a credit card, an auto loan or a mortgage on your new Illinois home. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to challenge any mistakes that you discover. The first step is to contact the credit agency that is displaying the incorrect information so that an investigation can begin.
Send a certified letter
It’s important to contact a credit agency by certified letter so that you can prove that you sent the message and that it was received. Alternatively, you may be able to send secure email messages to the credit bureaus to expedite the process of starting an investigation. Regardless of what you choose, communicating in writing typically makes it easier to keep track of what is happening as well as what the credit bureau says it will do to help you.
The next steps
It can take up to 45 days for a credit bureau to investigate your claim and take action. If a decision is rendered in your favor, your credit report will be updated as quickly as possible. However, you should verify that this has happened to minimize the risk of additional credit issues. Even if changes aren’t made, you will likely have an opportunity to explain yourself when applying for credit or taking other actions that may require a credit check.
Inaccuracies on a credit report might make it harder to get a job or affordable insurance. Therefore, disputing inaccurate information in a timely manner can be beneficial. If a credit bureau rules against you, it may be possible to include a statement explaining that a dispute occurred as well as the specifics of what you have challenged.