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Understanding CreditLesson 6 of 8

Lesson 6 · About 10 minutes

Find and Dispute Errors

An unfamiliar or negative item is not automatically an error. Compare the report with your records and dispute information that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.

Common items to review

Identity

Names, addresses, or accounts that do not belong to you.

Account status

A closed account shown open, an on-time payment shown late, or the wrong ownership role.

Amounts and dates

An incorrect balance, limit, payment date, opening date, or duplicated debt.

Build a simple dispute packet

  1. Mark each item you believe is wrong.
  2. Explain what is wrong and why in plain language.
  3. Include copies—not originals—of supporting records.
  4. Send the dispute to the reporting company and the information provider.
  5. Keep copies, confirmation numbers, and the date sent.

If the account may be identity theft

Use IdentityTheft.gov, the federal government’s recovery resource. Consider placing a fraud alert or security freeze and ask a trusted staff member for support.

Knowledge check

Try three quick questions

This is practice, not a test. Answer every question, then review the lesson takeaway.

1. Who should usually receive a credit-report dispute?
2. What should you send with a dispute when available?
3. What should you do if an unfamiliar account may be identity theft?