Disputing
Now that you have learned what a credit report contains and how to obtain
yours, you need to look over it very closely. Check everything, from account
numbers to high balances to payment dates. To compare some of this
information, you are going to have to sort through some of your old records. If
the items on the report are favorable, do not worry too much about
crosschecking them. If they are negative, you should examine them very closely
for errors.
Studies have shown that over 70% of credit reports contain serious errors.
Assume you have errors somewhere within your credit reports. First, however,
let’s start at the source, your creditors…
Disputing Bills
While this section is primarily about how to help change your credit report, it is
important to understand how to deal with incorrect charges on credit cards and
other bills. Resolving these problems
before
they affect your credit report is the
easiest and best way to maintain your credit rating. As a consumer, it is your right
to insist that the bills you receive are accurate. You are not asking for a favor or
stepping outside your bounds. It is the creditor's responsibility to ensure that
your bills are correct.
Credit Cards
:
If you find an error on a current credit card bill, not your credit
report, but an actual bill from one of your credit cards, you need to:
1)
Contact your credit card company immediately, remember, the credit reporting
agencies do not handle these disputes, so you have to contact the credit card
company by phone or send a letter immediately regarding the error.
2)
A phone call is better than no action, but not the preferred way to handle this. It
is fine to make an initial call to see if the bill can be corrected easily; however, you
need to put your concern in writing according to the
Fair Credit Billing Act
. You
must send the letter within
sixty days of the date of the bill
and send it certified
