Classify the item first
Separate factual errors from accurate negative history. Examples of potentially disputable problems include a late payment recorded on the wrong month, a collection that is not yours, an incorrect balance, a duplicate account or an item reported beyond the applicable period.
Gather evidence
Use statements, payment confirmations, settlement letters, court records and identity-theft documentation. Write down exactly which field is wrong and the correction requested. A dispute without a specific factual basis is easier to reject.
Dispute with both parties
Contact the bureau showing the item and the company that furnished it. Send copies of proof and keep complete records. Review the investigation result and updated report. The CFPB offers sample dispute letters.
Understand common negative items
Late payments, collections, charge-offs, repossessions and bankruptcies can have different reporting periods and effects. Paying a debt does not automatically erase its history, although the status and balance should be updated accurately. Before paying a collector, confirm the debt, ownership and written terms.
Know the red flags
Avoid anyone who guarantees removal, tells you not to contact bureaus, requests payment before promised work, sells a new credit identity or encourages a false statement. You have the right to dispute errors yourself for free.
Continue with credit score ranges, credit bureau disputes, mortgage score requirements and what to know before paying for credit repair.
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