Incorrect Credit Report Information

Does Your Credit Report Show Incorrect Information?

If you have been denied credit, employment, or insurance in the last sixty days, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report. If your application for credit, insurance, or employment has been denied due to information supplied by a credit bureau agency, the company you applied to must provide you with that credit bureau's name, address, and telephone number. If you see incorrect information on your credit report, you may dispute these mistakes or outdated items at no cost to you. Just submit your dispute in writing or ask the credit reporting agency for a 'dispute form', and also include any supporting documentation. Do not send any original documents. Clearly identify each item in your report that you are disputing. Explain why you are disputing the information, and request a reinvestigation. If the new investigation reveals an error, ask them to send a corrected version of the report to anyone who received your report within the past six months. Job applicants can have corrected reports sent to anyone who received a report for employment purposes during the last two years.

When the reinvestigation has been completed, the credit bureau must give you the written results. If the dispute resulted in a change, they will also give you a free copy of your credit report. Unless the information provider verifies its accuracy and completeness, any disputed information that has been changed or removed cannot be put the back into your file. And the credit bureau must give you a written notice that includes the name, address, and phone number of the provider.

On the other hand, if you have negative information on your credit report that is accurate, then this information can remain on your credit report for seven years or longer. Listed below are some examples of the length of time this negative information may remain on your credit report.