Repair Credit Report Help

Has anyone tried to fix an error on your credit report?

How long did it take, and what kind of stuff did you have to do? My boyfriend's credit report has an error on it, and I'm curious as to what we're getting ourselves into in order to fix it.

Public Comments

1. I had to take care of a medical bill that was paid but showed as a collection. It was a nightmare. I would suggest writing to the collections company who is showing the error, or whoever is showing the error and provide your evidence that it is indeed an error. They won't do anything unless you have canceled checks, back-up, etc.
2. It's very simple. Just follow the instructions on the credit report for disputing errors. Basically, it's just a matter of saying such and such is wrong because .... Within 45 days the credit bureau will respond. Normally the error will be corrected.
3. Yes, I had a medical bill that went to collections because I wrote the doctor asking for a discount. He never responded and it went to collections, which showed up on my credit record. I have 25 years of perfectly clean credit history so the fact that one issue dropped my credit score infuriated me. I went online to each of the credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, etc) and they each had a place online where you could dispute something on your credit report. I was amazed that they responded immediately, without even calling me, or asking for more info. They accepted my requeste and within 30 days my credit score went up over 100 points. Perhaps my positive experience was due to a long credit history. If it truly is an error I suggest getting all the documentation together proving why it is an error, and pleading your case on their websites. They don't charge anything and you have to be very clear and to the point in your writing, because they limit the number of characters you can type. You have nothing to lose. If they don't accept it online, call them and speak to someone about how to clear it up, but hopefully the online method will work for your b-friend as it did for me. Good luck with everything. Let me know if the online process worked for him.
4. I've helped many people do it. It is a simple process to dispute incorrect info on your report. The problem is when creditors don't cooperate and continue to post this information. If you don't follow the specific procedure, you end up starting all over again. Sometimes you need to take them to court (easy to do) but without properly following this procedure you will lose every time. Look at the link I supplied below. If you have any further questions contact me.
5. It shouldn't matter what type of error it is...the credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate the dispute, correct the error and send you an updated report. If you pulled your own report (or if he pulled his own report) there should be instructions on how to correct any errors. Follow those instructions to a T and he should be okay. If there are no instructions with the report, you want to send as much proof as possible with the dispute. Include a letter explaining the nature of the issue. Send back-up proof (if it's an error with his address, DOB or something else like that, send a copy of his driver's license or state-issued ID with that info on it...etc.). The whole process is fairly painless. All you need is a letter and a stamp.