If a creditor sells your account to a debt buyer, sometimes both the creditor and the debt buyer will list the same debt on your credit report. Duplicate listings can lower credit scores and make it more difficult to get approved for a loan, buy a car, refinance a home, or get a job. Even if you pay the debt, duplicate listings may remain on your report.
Steps to Dispute Errors on your Credit Report
- Obtain current credit reports from Transunion, Experian, and Equifax. Consumers are entitled to obtain a free credit report every twelve months from each bureau.
- Send written disputes to the credit bureaus that show a duplicate listing. Include a current copy of your credit report with the disputed item highlighted. Briefly state why the duplicate listing should be removed. Attach any supporting documentation that will support your claim.
- Written disputes that are mailed to the credit bureau are most effective. Additional supporting documents can be submitted with the dispute.
Online disputes have limitations for the number of words and characters which may restrict the explanation of a complex dispute. - Send your dispute letter through the US Mail by Certified Mail, Return Receipt, or by another traceable means such as FEDEX. You need written confirmation showing the dispute was received. The bureaus have 30 days to respond to your dispute.
- Keep a file with all dispute correspondence sent and received from the credit bureaus.
Get Legal Help
Flitter Milz is a consumer protection law firm that represents people with credit reporting problems. When there is an error on a credit report that the bureaus do not correct, there may be a violation of the consumer’s rights. Contact us for a free evaluation.
