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It’s very possible that there is incorrect information that is negatively affecting your credit report. The only way to stay on top of that is to get your yearly free credit report from all three reporting agencies and find those mistakes yourself. Once found, you must take action to get that information removed from your report so that you can begin the process of improving your credit score.

When you’ve gotten your report and you find information that is incorrect, the first step to take is to write a letter to the credit reporting agency that reported the erroneous information and inform them of the mistake. Included with the letter should be copied documented proof what you’re disputing. In the body of the letter that you send, you should include a clear explanation for each disputed item. In writing where possible, point to the proof that you’ve included to enhance the validity of your claims. Be sure to state that you expect the inaccurate information to be removed from your report in a timely fashion.

Once the claim has been received by the reporting agency, they must investigate your claim. They are usually restricted to thirty days to prove or disprove the claim that you have made. Once their investigation is complete, if they find the dispute to be validated, they must inform all three credit reporting agencies so that each may correct the information respectively.

If the investigation did result in a change in your credit report, the agency must provide you with the results of the investigation as well as provide you with a copy of your newly corrected credit report. Also, you can have a corrected copy of your report sent to anyone that’s viewed your credit report in the previous six months as well as any potential employer that’s requested your credit report in the past two years.

If your investigated dispute results in the opposition of your claim, you have the right to ask the reporting agency to keep your statement in its files. You may also have your statement sent to anyone that’s viewed your credit history recently. This statement will also be on file for future reports for them.

Finding and eliminating erroneous information in your report can greatly improve your credit score. It does take a little time and footwork, but when it’s over and the inconsistencies have been cleared, it makes a world of difference. You will find an improved credit score in your near future.

Second Step in Correcting Information in Your Report

When disputing information that you find in your credit report, as stated previously, you first need to contact the credit reporting agency with your dispute. In addition to this, you also need to contact the credit company with which the information is placed. This will ensure that the incorrect information will no longer be counted against you as a consumer and your credit report.

Most credit companies will provide on statements or websites, an address in which you may send disputed information. Once you have located this address, you will need to write a letter stating the disputed information. As with the credit reporting agency, you’ll need to include copies of any written proof that you have to substantiate your claims. If the credit company sends a report to the credit reporting agencies, they must include the fact that you’ve disputed this information.

If the negative information on your report is accurate, there’s very little that you can do short of having patience in order for that information to be removed. Accurate negative information can be reported for up to seven years and bankruptcy information can be reported for up to ten years. Any judgments that have been placed against you can be reported for up to seven years or whenever the statute of limitations runs out.

When your balances have been settled and accounts have been closed or set back to satisfactory, that is when you will see your credit score rise. There are some cases where even that won’t be enough. Even if you’ve settled a bankruptcy, the information that you were involved in one can be included on your credit report which reflects negatively when you’re trying to get a loan for a home or car, yet if handled and settled, there’s a chance it will be removed.

When it comes to repairing your credit, even with disputed information, you must have patience. It will come together eventually and all will correct itself. Time is your friend in a case like this. If a case has been settled for years, but is still reflecting negatively, do what you can make phone calls and write letters, but even that will take time. All the time that you invest in this process will be returned to you when you do finally see those numbers in your credit score begin to rise. Soon your score will be right where you want it and financial life will again be calm.

Scott Peters
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/a-plan-to-repair-your-credit-part-2-140563.html