How To Dispute An Entry On Your Credit Report?

Did you know that each year in America, there are up to 1,000,000 incorrect entries made onto people's credit files? That is a startling number, and one which you need to take into account when reviewing and considering your own personal credit file.

The fact of the matter is that incorrect entries on your credit report can have an adverse effect on your ability to obtain credit and finance. It is a well-known fact that many people have suffered setbacks in their financial life, as no fault of their own. So how do you address disparities between what you thought should be on your credit file, and what is really there? Let's take a look.

The Process of Changing An Entry

The most common reason for a change on your credit file will be when your personal details need updating. In this case, the best advice is to contact your creditors directly, instead of the credit reporting agency.

If you have recently moved or changed your name, or you need to make another change to your personal details - take the following steps:

• Contact your creditors directly.
• Tell them about the update.
• The creditor will pass the new information on to the credit reporting agency.

This is a relatively easy process, and one which should not cause too much confusion. If indeed something does go wrong, you can then contact the credit reporting agency directly to address this.

Having Incorrect Information Removed From Your Credit Report

These days, many credit reporting agencies provide an online facility for you to dispute an inaccuracy on your file. All you need to do is go to the particular website of the credit reporting agency, complete the required information on the web form, and submit this to the company.

Of course, you will also need to provide the following information:

• Your file number / personal details.
• Which entry you believe to be incorrect.
• Why the details might appear to be incorrect.
• What the correct details should be.

If you are able to provide all the information required, the process of having an entry changed in a credit report can be a simple one. It will take approximately 3 to 5 working days for this change to be implemented - and once it is done, you will be notified personally.