Have you disputed a mark on your credit report by writing to the Bureau, but you received an answer you’re unhappy with? The Bureau may say no mistakes have been made, even if you’re certain there is one!
Most people stop at that point and feel as though nothing else can be done. That is not true, so do not give up. There are still options.
Insist on Re-investigation
The letter you received from the Bureau suggests there’s nothing inaccurate on your report, but you feel differently. At this stage, you have the right – under Section 611 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act – to request a re-investigation. This may sound a bit scary, but it’s really not.
Make sure you request within five days of receiving the letter. You can request a re-investigation as many times as you want; however, after a few times, you should look into the next step in the process if nothing changes.
Another important part of this is gathering new information as evidence. This can feel daunting, but there are many ways to prove an error has been made.
If you fail to find anything new to support your claim, it might be dismissed as frivolous. One of our advisors can make sure you complete this part of the process properly.
Get In Touch With the Creditor
Everything the credit bureau has on you comes from the lender, so the error likely began with them. Persevere and contact the creditor again. It is easy and common for creditors to simply say their account is accurate, and this is incredibly frustrating! After all, a black mark on a credit report is a big deal, and you want these agencies and creditors to take it seriously!
However, what works in your favor is making the creditor prove what they reported is true. In order to get their attention and have the item erased, write directly to the creditor.
What’s the best way to write a letter to a creditor? The first step is addressing the most senior person in the organization. This shows you expect to be taken seriously.
You have the right to a fair amount of attention, especially because the previous avenues have failed you. With a little persistence, the creditor will likely investigate and correct the error.
If you prefer, you can go to the branch of the business and talk to the most senior member of staff face-to-face. If you do this, make sure you somehow document this trip and any conversations you have.
After doing everything properly, you should receive a letter stating they made an error. Then, send a copy of this letter to the credit bureaus. It really is that simple!
Don’t Give Up! We Can Help
Even if you received a letter claiming your credit report is in order, that’s not good enough if there is an error! There’s no reason you can’t have it looked at again, but it’s important you are persistent and offer new information at every opportunity.
If you’re not completely sure what to do or whether it’s worth taking the next step, call one of our specialist advisors now. We have years of experience working with creditors and bureaus, and we will help get it squared away.