Though it may surprise you, credit reporting errors are not as uncommon as you may believe. These errors can significantly impact your financial future, so taking the time to remedy these matters is critical. Unfortunately, having errors removed from your account is not as simple as one might believe, and you may make several errors when filing a credit dispute that can impact the outcome. If you want incorrect information removed from your report, the following blog explores the most common errors made and why working with a San Diego County credit reporting error lawyer is in your best interest.
What Is a Credit Dispute?
When you discover incorrect or outdated information on your credit report, you must file a dispute to have it removed. This is essentially an official request for the reporting agency to amend the information.
To file a dispute you’ll need to print out a copy of your credit report, highlight the incorrect information, and provide proof of its inaccuracy. For example, if the agency has your address listed incorrectly, you can provide proof of residency by submitting recent utility bills to prove you are at a different address.
What Mistakes Do Consumers Often Make?
Though filing a dispute may seem like a relatively easy process, this is not always the case. In many instances, consumers make errors that can lead to their concerns going unchanged.
One of the biggest mistakes consumers make when filing these documents is failing to provide enough information. When filing, you may assume that simply pointing out the mistake is enough to have it fixed. Unfortunately, if you do not provide proof or evidence to support your claim, the agency can claim the information will remain on your report. As such, you’ll need to clearly explain what the problem is and provide sufficient detail proving the information is incorrect.
Another mistake people make during this process is failing to keep a copy of the report. When you are going through this process, ensuring you keep an exact copy of what information you provided to the reporting agency is critical. In a perfect world, your document would get to the reporting agency as intended. However, mail gets lost and documents aren’t always scanned correctly, so keeping a copy of your report can help support your claim in the event you need to file a lawsuit.
What Should I Do if I Need Assistance Filing?
As you can see, there are many considerations you must make when filing a dispute to ensure it is taken seriously. That’s why connecting with an experienced consumer defense lawyer from Barthel Legal is in your best interest. Our team can help you file a complete dispute for the best chance of having your report fixed. If the agency continues to reject your claims, we can also help you file a lawsuit against the reporting bureau.
At Barthel Legal, we understand how upsetting it can be to discover that your credit report is incorrect. Our team is dedicated to helping consumers through these challenging times. Connect with us today to learn how we can assist you.
