Start With a Telephone Call

• If you discover a mistake on your credit report, immediately contact the creditor who reported the information to the credit bureau. Check your credit report for each of the major credit reporting bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion -- in case a creditor reports to all three. Although it is the credit bureau's responsibility to correct mistakes on your credit report, start with the creditor. Request that the creditor correct any inaccurate information it has sent to a credit bureau. Also contact the credit bureau to request that it update your credit report once it receives the corrected information.
  
  

Recording Details

• Write down the names and titles of any individuals to whom you speak on the telephone. Document the date and time you called, along with a few notes to provide a summary of the conversation. Recalling the details of a call may be difficult without the notes. Be courteous and provide any additional information the customer service representative requests. Provide specific details regarding the mistake. If the creditor agrees to make the correction, request confirmation in writing. Ask the creditor to mail you a letter confirming that it has notified the credit bureau of the mistake and is requesting a deletion or correction.
  
  

Send Your Request by Certified Mail

• Along with making the necessary telephone calls, send a certified letter to the creditor to dispute the mistake. Mail a copy of the same letter to each of the three credit bureaus that lists the inaccurate information. Address letters to the person to whom you spoke on the phone. When you talk to a customer service representative on the telephone, ask for the person's name, his department, his supervisor's name and exact mailing address for the creditor or credit bureau. This can help you get back to the same people to whom you initially spoke. You may need to call again if the problem isn't corrected.
  
  

Documentation

• When you mail your certified letters, include photocopies of any documentation that proves information on your credit report is incorrect. Retain the original documents for your records. Attach a copy of the credit report and either circle or highlight the mistake. If a mistake is related to your identity, you may need to send the credit bureau a copy of your Social Security card or driver's license. When you file a dispute with a credit bureau, it is required to investigate the claim. If it cannot verify the validity of the disputed item within 30 days, the item must be removed from your credit report. If a mistake is not corrected or your dispute is not settled to your satisfaction, you can add a summary explanation to your credit report. That will not help your credit score, but it could influence a lender examining your credit report.