How to fix wrong personal information on your credit report
What counts as personal information
Your credit file usually lists identifying details such as name variations, current and past addresses, and employers. These do not directly affect your score, but wrong or unfamiliar entries can cause mix-ups with someone else’s file, or be a sign of identity theft.
The accuracy standard
Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b), consumer reporting agencies must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information in a consumer report. Under Section 611, 15 U.S.C. § 1681i, you can dispute information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete and ask for a reasonable reinvestigation.
What may legitimately stay
Accurate history, such as a past address where you actually lived, can properly remain on your file. Disputes work best for entries that are wrong or do not belong to you, such as an address you never lived at or an employer you never worked for.
How to dispute
List each entry exactly as it appears, say that it is inaccurate or does not belong to you, and ask the bureau to correct or delete anything it cannot verify. Send copies of your identification and proof of address, keep copies of everything, and use certified mail with a return receipt. Check all three reports, since each bureau keeps its own file.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. SnapAudit is a self-help document tool and is not a law firm or credit repair organization. Want help drafting the letters? Try SnapAudit.