14. You Don’t Fix Credit Report Mistakes
If you see a mistake on your credit report, you have to take steps to fix it — and follow up to make sure it’s remedied. Otherwise, the error will remain on your report and might hurt your credit score.
Contact the credit bureau that issued the report that contains the mistake and ask the bureau to investigate it, Kelly said. Also, send a letter to the credit issuer — such as the bank or credit card company — that provided the incorrect information to the credit bureau to let it know you’re disputing that information.
How to avoid it: It’s tough to avoid this situation — after all, a mistake is just that, an error. However, once you discover the mistake, jump on it right away.
How to fix it: Always check the accuracy of the information on your credit report. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit bureaus are required to correct or remove inaccurate information. Start by sending a letter to the lender and each of the three credit reporting agencies — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — stating the date the payment was due and the date it was made. For best results, include all supporting documentation and an explanation of the error.
