How to Repair TransUnion Credit?

Pulling your TransUnion credit report and capturing your current credit score takes just a few clicks.

1. Visit the free annual credit report portal, choose TransUnion, and enter your name, SSN, and address. The FCRA‑mandated report downloads instantly as a PDF.
2. Open a free myTransUnion.com account with the same personal details. The dashboard displays the same report and an up‑to‑date VantageScore 3.0 (or 4.0) without any purchase.
3. Snapshot the score: either screenshot the number or copy it into a simple spreadsheet, adding the retrieval date for future tracking.
4. Scan the report for missing accounts, outdated personal info, or unfamiliar entries. Mark any items you'll address in the '5 quick checks before you file a dispute' section.

Run through these five checks before you hit the TransUnion dispute button.

• Confirm the item appears on your TransUnion credit report (not on Equifax or Experian) by matching the creditor name and account number.
• Verify the reporting dates; negative entries older than seven years should be gone, so any lingering date signals an error.
• Gather supporting documents (bank statements, letters, payment receipts) that prove the inaccuracy; you can attach copies when you submit the dispute online.
• Make sure your dispute reason aligns with an FCRA‑permitted basis (e.g., 'inaccurate balance,' 'not my account,' 'duplicate entry') to avoid unnecessary delays.
• Check that you haven't already disputed the same entry within the past 30 days, because duplicate filings reset the investigation clock.

Collect every document that proves the entry on your TransUnion credit report is wrong. After you pulled your TransUnion report and ran the five quick checks, the dispute will succeed only if the bureau sees verifiable proof.

Gather these items before you start the dispute:

• Bank or credit‑card statements showing the disputed balance or payment dates. Highlight the line that contradicts the report.
• Creditor letters or emails confirming account status, settlement, or removal request. Include the date and the sender's contact info.
• Payment receipts or cancelled checks that prove a past‑due amount was paid on time.
• Court judgments or bankruptcy filings that affect the reporting period; attach the docket number.
• Identity‑theft reports (FTC Identity Theft Report or police report) when the entry is fraudulent.
• Written debt‑validation requests and the creditor's response, especially if they admit the debt is invalid.

Each piece should be clear, legible, and dated. Save PDFs with descriptive filenames (e.g., 'BankStmt_03‑2024_Dispute.pdf') and keep a master folder for quick upload.

With airtight evidence ready, you can submit a precise dispute through TransUnion's online portal, knowing the bureau must respond within the 30‑45‑day window required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The next step walks you through the actual online filing process.

Dispute inaccurate TransUnion entries online by logging into the TransUnion portal, selecting the wrong item, and attaching the proof you gathered in step 3.

1. Visit the TransUnion dispute portal and create or sign in to your account.
2. Find each erroneous record on your TransUnion credit report and click 'Dispute.' Choose the most accurate reason (e.g., 'information not accurate').
3. Upload the supporting documents you assembled earlier - billing statements, court orders, or identity‑theft reports. PDFs work best; keep files under 5 MB.
4. Write a concise statement that includes the account number, why the entry is wrong, and whether you want it corrected or removed.
5. Submit the dispute. Under the FCRA, TransUnion must investigate within 30 days and will email you the results.
6. If the investigation resolves in your favor, the item updates or disappears; if denied, request a reinvestigation and add any new evidence.
7. Keep the investigation report for your records and revisit the score snapshot you captured in step 1 to confirm the change.

Ask the collector to validate the debt before you send any payment. Pull the TransUnion credit report, locate the collection entry, and send a written request for verification within 30 days of receiving the collector's written validation notice. Once you request verification, the collector must halt collection activity until they provide the required information.

Under the FDCPA, the collector must disclose the creditor's name, the amount owed, and a statement that collection will stop until verification is supplied; they are not required to send the original contract, a copy of the bill, or licensing proof. If the collector cannot meet these obligations, mark the account as 'unverified' in your dispute and move on to the next step - negotiating a settlement and demanding a written deletion to protect your credit score. FDCPA guidelines

Negotiate a settlement and obtain a written pay‑for‑delete agreement before sending any money, because creditors are not legally required to erase accurate entries even after you pay in full.

• Confirm the debt is yours and collect the account number (see 'validate collection accounts before you pay').
• Propose a lump‑sum settlement that is lower than the balance but still acceptable to the creditor.
• Ask the creditor to write that, once the settlement clears, the account will be reported to TransUnion as 'paid‑in‑full' and removed from the credit report; insist the statement include date, amount, and deletion language.
• Keep a signed copy; it serves as proof if the creditor later refuses to delete.
• If the creditor agrees to delete, monitor your TransUnion credit report for the change; if the entry remains but shows 'paid‑in‑full,' the information is accurate and can stay on the report.
• When the creditor refuses deletion, you can still dispute any inaccurate or outdated details by filing a TransUnion dispute that cites the Fair Credit Reporting Act rights and includes the settlement receipt and any written promises.
• Expect a 30‑45‑day investigation window; if the dispute is denied and the entry is correct, the paid‑in‑full status may still improve your credit score over time.

• Open a secured credit card, deposit an amount equal to your credit limit, keep utilization below 30%, and pay the balance in full each month; the account reports to TransUnion within 30‑45 days.
• Obtain a credit‑builder loan from a credit union or reputable online lender; the loan amount sits in escrow while you make monthly payments that generate a positive tradeline on your TransUnion credit report.
• Enroll in a rent‑reporting service such as The Credit People rent reporting; on‑time rent payments are submitted to TransUnion and can add 5‑10 points after a year of consistent reporting.
• Use these new positive accounts alongside the dispute steps already covered; they help offset negative items and improve the average age of credit.
• Check your TransUnion credit report each month to confirm the secured card, loan, and rent entries appear, and dispute any inaccuracies promptly.

Adding an authorized user to a well‑managed credit card can instantly add a positive tradeline to a thin TransUnion credit report. Choose a primary who has a low balance, a history of on‑time payments, and whose issuer reports to TransUnion; then request the addition through the cardholder's online portal or customer service. The new account usually appears on the report within 30‑45 days and may improve both utilization and length of credit history.

To wipe out fraudulent entries after identity theft, lock the TransUnion credit report, report the crime, and dispute every illegal item.

1. Add a fraud alert - Call 1‑800‑525‑6285 to place a 90‑day fraud alert on your TransUnion credit report; the alert forces lenders to verify your identity before extending credit.
2. Freeze your file - Request a security freeze online or by phone; a freeze stops all new inquiries until you lift it with a PIN, protecting you while you clean the record.
3. File an FTC Identity Theft Report - Complete the online form at IdentityTheft.gov and download the report; this document serves as official proof when you dispute fraudulent entries.
4. Obtain a police report - If local law enforcement files one, attach it to your dispute package; many creditors accept either the FTC report or a police report as evidence.
5. Dispute each fraudulent entry - Log into TransUnion.com, select 'Dispute' for every unauthorized account, upload the FTC report, police report, and any proof of your identity (driver's license, utility bill). TransUnion must investigate within 30 days and delete items that cannot be verified.
6. Confirm removal and monitor - After the investigation, review the updated TransUnion credit report; set up free monthly alerts to catch any new fraud quickly.

Proceed to the next section to track your progress and set realistic timelines for full credit repair.

Ensure every item you dispute has a verifiable source; otherwise Experian marks it unverifiable and rejects the claim.

• Match the account number, creditor name, and reporting dates exactly to the file.
• Attach the original statement, payment receipt, or court order that proves the error.
• Upload clear PDFs through Experian's online portal; blurry or cropped images trigger rejection.
• Reference the specific FCRA provision (e.g., § 611) that supports your correction.
• Avoid disputing items that are already accurate or beyond the seven‑year reporting window.

Following these checks lets Experian complete the investigation within the standard 30‑45‑day window, and you'll see the result in the upcoming section on when corrections appear on your score and lenders' reports. For more detail, see the Experian dispute guide.

Hire a credit repair company when you need a hands‑off approach to routine TransUnion disputes and lack the time or expertise to file, track, and follow up on dozens of inaccurate entries after you've assembled airtight evidence (section 3) and filed online disputes (section 4). The company can automate the 30‑45‑day FCRA response cycle, resend letters, and keep a compliance log, which is ideal for minor errors, outdated medical codes, or repeated soft‑pull entries that rarely require legal intervention.

Hire a lawyer when the dispute involves legal violations - such as a collection account that has been sued without proper proof, a bankruptcy entry that contradicts court records, or fraudulent activity that suggests identity theft and may need injunctions or damages. An attorney can file suit, subpoena records, and negotiate settlements that include written deletions, actions that go beyond standard dispute letters and protect your credit score from systemic abuse.