Whether you’re applying for a mortgage or looking to purchase a new car, your credit plays a significant role in determining whether or not you are eligible. As such, staying on top of these reports is critical. Unfortunately, you may find that a mistake on your account can impact your ability to make necessary life changes. Luckily, the following blog explores how to fix a credit report error and why you must connect with a San Diego County credit reporting error lawyer if you need additional assistance.
What Are Common Mistakes on Credit Reports?
Unfortunately, there are several common errors that consumers can find on their credit reports. Generally, these are the result of user error, meaning the information was incorrectly input under your name, you are a victim of identity theft, or false reporting. Regardless, understanding what errors to look for is critical to ensuring your report is as accurate as possible.
There are generally two kinds of errors you can find on your credit report – personal and financial information. Mistakes concerning your personal information generally do not have an impact on your credit score. This means if your name is misspelled or the address listed is incorrect, it will not lower your actual score. However, you can be denied loans as the information on your application may not match what’s on your report.
Alternatively, some errors can and do impact your credit score. This includes incorrectly reporting late payments, listing duplicate loans, reporting accounts as delinquent, and listing loans that do not belong to you.
What Are the Steps to Fix a Credit Report Error?
Ensuring you take the necessary steps to remedy a credit report error is critical. Generally, the first step in this process is to print out a hard copy of your report and highlight the mistake. Next, you will then explain why the information is incorrect. You’ll also need to provide proof that the information is false. Once you have done this, you should mail the dispute to the credit reporting agency via certified mail. This ensures you are alerted when the agency receives your dispute.
The credit reporting bureau will have 30 days to investigate and issue a decision. If they deny your dispute, meaning they want to leave the information on the report, you may assume you can resubmit the dispute with additional information. It’s important to understand that you should not simply re-send the same report, as this can be considered frivolous.
If your report still goes unresolved, it’s imperative to connect with an experienced credit reporting attorney from Barthel Legal. Our team knows that finding a mistake on your account can severely impact your life, which is why we are dedicated to helping consumers through these challenging times. Connect with us today to learn more.
