Did you know that you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report per year from each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union)?
To order your free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus you can go online or call the following toll free number:
You will receive each of your credit reports in the mail in approximately 15 days.
At the top of each credit report should be a file number and a phone number where you can call and speak to a LIVE person.
You can dispute any item on your credit report which you feel has been reported in error.
When you dispute an item, the credit bureau launches an investigation, and the creditors have 30 days to either verify that the item belongs on your credit report or delete it if it has been incorrectly reported.
After up to 30 days, you will receive an updated credit report from each of the credit bureaus where you launched an investigation and the results will be shown.
Common Questions and Answers
Q: What if the item I dispute is updated as reported, can I dispute it again?
A: Yes, you can dispute it more than once if you believe it to be incorrect.
Q: What if the creditor does not respond to the credit bureau in 30 days in regards to an item I have disputed?
A: That item will typically be deleted from your credit report if no response was received within 30 days from the creditor.
Q: Will there be a credit score on my credit reports?
A: No, only if you pay extra to receive it and it's usually about $8.00.
Q: Will my credit score be affected when the credit bureaus run my credit to send me the report?
A: No, because they are internal and when they access your credit information it is done internally and does not alter your score in any way.
Q: If I dispute a derogatory trade line and it is removed from my credit report, will my credit score go up?
A: Your credit score is adjusted every time any item is changed on your credit report. There is no telling how much your score may increase when you remove something derogatory. On the flip side, if you dispute a negative item that is confirmed to be correctly reported (such as a 30 day late payment) your credit score could also decrease because it is reported again as of the date of the inquiry.
Q: Should I give this information to my friends and family?
A: Of course, you should use this information to help everyone you know to be aware of what is on their credit.
