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What Is Credit

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Credit Report FAQ's

Protect Your Credit

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Credit Repair

DIY Credit Repair

Building & Managing Credit

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Do-It-Yourself Credit Repair

The key to successful do-it-yourself credit repair.

Begin by getting a copy of your credit report from each of the three main credit reporting bureaus - Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian. The information listed within each can be different, so be sure to review all three and address any inaccuracies directly with that specific credit bureau. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you are entitled to receive a free credit report once every 12 months from each company. To get yours, visit:

Annual Credit Report
1.877.322.8228
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
http://www.annualcreditreport.com

Read each report thoroughly and make a note of any incorrect information. Under the FCRA, both the credit bureau and the information provider (the company, person, or organization that provided the information) are responsible for correcting inaccuracies in your report.

Once you have identified the items you believe are inaccurate, your next step is to notify the credit bureau in writing. In order to make sure your request is handled quickly and efficiently, it is best is to follow each credit bureau's specific instructions for registering a dispute. You can find these on the credit bureau's individual websites listed here:

Equifax
1.800.685.1111
http://www.equifax.com

Experian
1.888.EXPERIAN (397.3742)
http://www.experian.com

Trans Union
1.800.916.8800
http://www.Trans Union.com

The credit bureau must investigate the items in question, usually within 30-45 days, unless they have previously reviewed the same matter and determined the information to be correct. Once they have received your dispute, they will then proceed to contact the company that provided them with that information and forward any relevant data you have submitted. Those companies then must investigate and report their findings to the credit bureau. If they find that the information is indeed wrong, they must contact all three nationwide credit bureaus and correct your file.

Once the investigation is complete, the credit bureau must also send you a response to your dispute in writing, along with a free copy of your credit report if the dispute resulted in a change. If the investigation does not resolve your dispute, and you still feel incorrect information is contained within your report, you can request that your dispute be added to your file and in future reports.

The bottom line is that improving your credit score can indeed open many doors. With the friendly credit repair counseling our qualified experts provide, you can start down the path to a bright new credit future today!