The Federal Trade Commission Credit Fix
Do-It-Yourself Check-Up and Dispute
Even if you don’t have a poor
credit history, some financial advisors and consumer advocates suggest you
review your credit report periodically. Why?
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because the information it contains
affects whether you can get a loan or insurance — and how much you will
have to pay for it.
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to make sure the information is accurate,
complete, and up-to-date before you apply for a loan for a major
purchase like a house or car, buy insurance, or apply for a job.
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to help guard against identity theft.
That’s when someone uses your personal information — like your name,
your Social Security number, or your credit card number — to commit
fraud. Identity thieves may use your information to open a new credit
card account in your name. Then, when they don’t pay the bills, the
delinquent account is reported on your credit report. Inaccurate
information like that could affect your ability to get credit,
insurance, or even a job.
Sample Dispute Letter
Date
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Complaint Department
Name of Credit Company (there are three)
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to dispute the
following information in my file. The items I dispute also are encircled
on the attached copy of the report I received.
This item (identify item(s)
disputed by name of source, such as creditors or tax court, and identify
type of item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.) is (inaccurate or
incomplete) because (describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why). I
am requesting that the item be deleted (or request another specific
change) to correct the information.
Enclosed are copies of (use
this sentence if applicable and describe any enclosed documentation, such
as payment records, court documents) supporting my position. Please
investigate this (these) matter(s) and (delete or correct) the disputed
item(s) as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Your name
Enclosures: (List what you
are enclosing)
What information should I provide when
requesting a report or disputing an item on my report?
It's a good idea to include all of the above
information
whenever you correspond
with the credit bureaus. And remember to sign
your request.
You should provide:
full name
birth date
Social Security number
current address
former addresses in last 5 years
photocopy of driving license, showing current
address
photocopy of Social Security card
If you have a letter denying you credit,
employment, or insurance within the last 30 days, a copy of the letter
should be provided, since this will allow to obtain a free copy.
If you ordered your credit report, within 10 to 30
days you should receive a copy of your credit report from each of the
agencies.
Addresses for
Disputes on Credit Reports:
Experian
NCAC
PO Box 9556
Allen TX 75013
Equifax Information Services
P O BOX 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
TransUnion
Customer Disclosure Center
Trans Union Consumer Relations
PO Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
The FTC works for the
consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in
the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop,
and avoid them. To file a
complaint or to get
free
information on
consumer issues, visit
www.ftc.gov
or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other
fraud-related complaints into
Consumer Sentinel, a secure online
database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement
agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Jay
A Hendrick
William
Davis Realty
8856 Coleman
Blvd
Frisco, Texas
75034
Cell:
214-336-7088
Voice/Fax: 972-248-5991
jay@foreclosuresfrisco.com
www.ForeclosuresFrisco.com
www.RealEstateDal.com
Member: NAR TAR
CCAR
