ReallyFreeCreditReport.com

Below is  a sample letter to Equifax disputing an incorrect credit report. It is best to send the letter certified with a return receipt requested so you have proof if you have to sue later on.

———

John Hancock
123 Maple Street
Oakland, CA 90909

March 4, 2003

Equifax Information Services, LLC
PO Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374

Re: ABC collection account error on credit report

SSN: 123-45-6789
DOB: 3/1/1965

Dear Sir or Madam,

The ABC collection account on my credit report is not accurate and does not belong to me. Please remove the ABC collection account from my credit report immediately.

Because of the ABC collection account on my credit report I have been denied credit and I am not able to apply for credit.

Please request written proof of the alleged collection account from the person reporting the collection account in the form of contracts, receipts or any other documentation that will prove the alleged collection account belongs to me.

If you feel the collection account is accurate, please send me a written description of the procedures you used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the collection account as well written proof (receipts, contracts, etc.).

Please act quickly on this matter in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act as my creditworthiness has been severely affected.

Sincerely,
John Hancock

Here are  a few things to keep in mind when searching for an attorney to help you fix your credit report.

First, attorneys run a business and need to earn a living like everyone else, so they cannot work on every case that is presented to them. The stronger your case the more likely they will be willing to help you. You probably have a strong case if you have blatant credit report errors and good documentation (evidence) to support your claims.

Second, if your case is really strong, and you find and attorney that is experienced in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), they may take your case on a contingency basis and you will not have to pay any costs up front. The FCRA provides for attorney costs to be paid by the credit reporting agency if they are sued, and then lose the case.

When searching for an attorney, it is important to speak with several attorneys and ask them if they have previous experience with fixing credit reports under the FCRA. The more experience an attorney or law firm has, the more they will understand the credit reporting laws  and the more likely they may consider working on a contingency basis for you.

1. Obtain your report for free
2. Review your report for errors
3. Notify the Credit Reporting Agency (CRA) of the errors on your report using their online forms or by mailing back the forms included with your free report.
4. After 30 days, if the errors are still on your credit report, you should ask the CRA to double check the errors and provide them with evidence of the mistake. They will most like likely verify that the errors are correct even though you told them they were not.
5. If the CRA verified the errors and you believe they are not correct you should sue them in small claims court in your state or if the errors are real bad and obviously errors, you will should find an attorney with FCRA experience. It is important that you find an attorney with experience.