Do I Need an Attorney to Dispute My Credit Report?
What is a credit report and why dispute it?
If you're like most people, you’ve heard of credit reports, but you may not know exactly what one is. A credit report is a record of your borrowing and repayment history. It includes information about how much money you've borrowed and how on time (or not) you've been with making
repayments. If you've ever applied for a loan or credit card, the lender has likely checked your credit score and report.
How can I correct mistakes on my credit report?
First, know how important it is that you do. Any negative marks on your credit can harm your ability to borrow money in the future. So it's important to understand what's included in your credit file and dispute any inaccurate information.
Unfortunately, many of us have a mistake in our credit report (or maybe a lot of mistakes in our reports). A recent study by the Federal Trade Commission found that one in four consumers has a mistake on their credit report.
So what do you do if you find an error on your credit file? You dispute it. Fortunately, this is something you can do yourself if you know what to say.
What to say to dispute a credit report?
Unfortunately, if you've ever had to dispute a credit report, you know it can be a frustrating process. You may not know what to say when disputing an error, or where to start. But don't worry, we're here to help. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the process of disputing a credit report and give you some tips on what to do. So read on and get started!
- First, gather evidence to support your case.
- Then, contact the credit bureau's dispute department and explain why you believe the information is inaccurate. Be persistent and stay organized throughout the process.
- By disputing an error on your credit report, you can improve your credit score and potentially save money on interest rates.
- Most importantly - make your dispute in writing. Not email. Not online. An “old school letter” and preferably sent by certified mail. Send in any supporting documents.
ID Theft Help
If you think you’re an ID Theft victim, you’ve got a bit more to do. When your personal information is stolen, it can feel like your entire life is turned upside down. You have to worry about every email you open, every website you visit, and every purchase you make.
If your identity is stolen, it's important to take action immediately to minimize the damage. Here are some tips for identity theft help.
- First, notify the credit bureaus and put a fraud alert on your credit reports.
- Second, file a police report and contact your insurance company.
- Third, keep a detailed record of all conversations and correspondence with law enforcement and credit agencies.
- Finally, when you make your dispute, send a copy of the police report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires credit reporting agencies to block accounts from your file if you send this one.
By following these steps, you can minimize the impact of identity theft on your life.
False Credit Reporting Lawsuits
You might think that once the mistake is corrected, it's done and over with. But if the credit reporting agency doesn't properly fix the issue, you may need to get an attorney that knows how to sue the credit bureaus.
While you can file a lawsuit yourself, it’s not advisable. Credit reporting agencies are very sophisticated and are used to being sued. You’re much better off getting an attorney for false credit reporting who is experienced in Fair Credit Reporting and federal court litigation. Otherwise, it won’t be a fair fight.
Dave Maxfield at ConsumerLawSC is a consumer protection attorney with experience in Fair Credit Reporting, disputing credit report errors, and fixing consumer credit. Use our Quick Contact form today to see if you have a case.
