Remove Credit Report Disputes

When was the last time you checked your credit report? Although they’re usually accurate, they’re not always right. If you don’t check your report from time to time, you might be surprised when you’re rejected for credit. So, here’s to get something (a dispute) removed from your credit report and why this matters.

What Is a Credit Report?

A credit report is a statement, or summary, of your credit history. It shows how much money you’ve borrowed and the repayments you’ve made. Lenders use credit reports to decide whether to approve your loan applications. The report helps them decide if:

• You can afford the credit; and
• You are likely to repay on time.

What’s a Credit Report Dispute?

A credit report dispute is when you request a change or update to your report. This is because you’re disputing an entry in the report as being inaccurate. You might dispute:

• Credit applications you don’t recognize
• Inaccurate personal details
• Wrong repayment information

Dispute entries are temporarily “hidden”. As a result, you might see an uplift in your credit score. However, if your dispute is unsuccessful, the disputed entry shows back up again. This could lower your score, depending on what the entry is.

You’re best to wait until disputes are settled before applying for credit.

How To Remove a Credit Report Dispute

Want to know how to remove dispute comments from your credit report? It’s easier than you might think. To remove disputes from a credit report (for free) you can contact whichever credit bureau is reporting the dispute.

• Experian: Start a new dispute online. Typically, Experian must respond within 30 days. If you’re in Maine, they only have 21 days to resolve your dispute. If you don’t agree with the outcome, you can provide further evidence to support your claim.
• Equifax: File a dispute online. It’s free. Equifax will investigate and update your credit report within 30 days. You can complain to consumer services if you’re unhappy with the outcome.
• TransUnion: Again, the quickest way to file is online. Just create an account if you don’t have one and start a new case. You’ll have the results within 30 days or you can escalate matters.