How to Dispute

FAQs

• Why do I need a report number from Experian to dispute if I know something is wrong on my report?
• Why is my report number no longer active?
• What can I do if I already disputed but I still disagree with the creditor who provided the information to you?
• What happens when I dispute information?
• Why can't you show the status of my credit card as "paid" since I don't owe a balance?
• Why does a collection account still appear on my report? I paid it.
• How long does information appear on my report?
• Why can't you just remove information from my report?
• I've made a payment that my report does not show. Why is my balance wrong?
• Why is there an inquiry on my report from a company with whom I didn't apply for credit?
• Why does an account appear on my report that belongs to my ex-spouse?
• What information on my report will hurt me if I apply for credit?
• How long will the accounts I included in my bankruptcy remain on my report?

• Why do I need a report number from Experian to dispute if I know something is wrong on my report?
• The only way to get a full disclosure of your credit information in Experian's database is to get your report directly from Experian. We believe we can best assist you when you have a full disclosure of your most recent credit information in our database.
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• Why is my report number no longer active?
• Credit information is reported to us daily, so the information in your report changes frequently. Report numbers remain active for 90 days.
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• What can I do if I already disputed but I still disagree with the creditor who provided the information to you?
• If you have additional relevant information to substantiate your claim, then you should mail it to the address that displays on your report and request a new investigation. If you do not have additional information, but you still disagree, then you should contact your creditor directly. The contact information for each of your creditors is listed on your credit report.
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• What happens when I dispute information?
• When you question information on your personal credit report and tell us specifically why you believe the information is inaccurate or incomplete, we contact the source of the information directly by telephone, letter or through an automated verification system. We ask the source to check their records to verify all of the information regarding the item you questioned, and report back within 30 days of the date that we received your request (21 days for Maine residents). Once we receive their response, we'll send you the results of the investigation. If we do not receive a response within 30 days (21 days for Maine residents), we'll update the item as you have requested or delete the information, and send you the results. When we complete our investigation process, which may take up to 30 days, we'll send you the results. To check the status of your investigation, log on to www.experian.com.
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• Why can't you show the status of my credit card as "paid" since I don't owe a balance?
• Revolving lines of credit, retail charge cards and bank credit card accounts are open-ended lines of credit. This doesn't mean that you still owe a balance; it only means that you have credit available. A "current" status tells creditors that the account is not past due. The report also tells creditors whether or not the account carries a balance.
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• Why does a collection account still appear on my report? I paid it.
• When your creditor turns over a seriously past due account to a collection company, your credit report will show the status of the account as "collection." If you pay the account, the status will be "paid collection."
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• How long does information appear on my report?
• A credit reporting agency stores information from credit grantors and public records, including bankruptcies, judgments and liens. Potentially negative information, such as missed payments and most public record items remain on a personal credit report for 7 years, with the exception of Chapters 7, 11 and 12 bankruptcies, which remain for 10 years, and unpaid tax liens, which remain for 15 years. A paid tax lien will remain for 7 years. Positive information may remain on a report indefinitely. Paid closed accounts generally display for 10 years. Requests for your credit history remain on your personal credit report for 2 years.
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• Why can't you just remove information from my report?
• We store information from credit grantors, public records and other reliable sources following the guidelines in the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Your payment history is stored in the records of credit reporting agencies. If you believe the information in your personal credit report is inaccurate, then we'll investigate and correct or remove any inaccurate information or information that cannot be verified. Accurate information cannot be deleted.
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• I've made a payment that my report does not show. Why is my balance wrong?
• Credit grantors send us updated payment information routinely, but that does not guarantee that your most recent payment will show on your personal credit report. We update our records as soon as we receive the information from the credit grantor.
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• Why is there an inquiry on my report from a company with whom I didn't apply for credit?
• By federal law, your personal credit report must list all who have requested your information. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, businesses with a permissible purpose may review your information. Some examples are: your current creditors to monitor your accounts, other creditors who want to offer you preapproved credit, an employer who wishes to extend an offer of employment, and a potential investor in assessing the risk of a current credit obligation. We report these requests only to you as a record of activities, and we do not include them on credit reports to others. They remain on your personal credit report for 2 years.
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• Why does an account appear on my report that belongs to my ex-spouse?
• A divorce decree may not affect your contracts with creditors. You will need to negotiate repayment with each one. Check out Life events and credit for more information on divorce and how it affects your credit.
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• What information on my report will hurt me if I apply for credit?
• These statuses, either open or paid, are considered potentially negative: any missed payments, accounts included in bankruptcies, public record items, collection, creditor received deed, foreclosed, foreclosure proceedings started, claim filed with government, insurance claim filed, paid by creditor, paid in settlement, creditor cannot locate individual, repossession, defaulted on contract, voluntarily surrendered, and charge-off.
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• How long will the accounts I included in my bankruptcy remain on my report?
• Any account included in a bankruptcy remains on your personal credit report for a maximum of 7 years from the date the bankruptcy was filed. The bankruptcy itself, listed in the public record information section of a credit report, remains for either 7 years from the filing date if it was a Chapter 13, or 10 years from the filing date if it was a Chapter 7, 11 or 12.
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