Looking for Oregon credit repair?

Errors and inaccurate information on your credit report can cause your credit score to be lower than it should be.

Here's a few TIPS ON HOW TO CORRECT YOUR CREDIT REPORT:

1.  Take a close look at your credit report!

If you don't have a current credit report or if it has been a long time since you took a close look at it, you need to get an updated report.

Your credit report is constantly changing as creditors are reporting and or inquiring about your credit report.

You can get a FREE Credit Report by going to WWW.ANNUALCREDITREPORT.COM  This site will link you to all three of the major credit reporting agencies... Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

2.  Mark any items on the report that you need to dispute

Sometimes you will find items on your credit report that just shouldn't be there such as:

• Paid off or settled accounts that still show a balance
• Judgments that you have satisfied that still are showing a balance owed
• Accounts that have been on the report for longer than the statute of limitations in your state
• Inaccurate names or addresses
• Accounts that are not yours (yes, this happens)

#3 Submit your dispute to each of the three credit reporting agencies

Write a letter to each credit bureau detailing your challenge and requesting that the item is removed or corrected.

You should also demand that the creditor reporting show a complete history of the debt (Fair Credit Reporting Act).

It usually takes 30 days or more for the credit bureaus to respond, so you may need to do a lot of follow up.  But DON'T GIVE UP!

Yes you can have incorrect or inaccurate information removed, but it will take time and effort!

If you would like help, please let us know!

You CAN correct errors on your credit report in 3 easy steps!

Step #1 - Get a Copy of your Credit Report

If you are willing to spend a little time and effort, there is no reason to spend hundreds of dollars paying someone else to correct errors on your credit report.

Start by pulling a current copy of your credit report. You can do this absolutely free once per year at www.annualcreditreport.com. 

This site allows you to access your credit report from all three of the major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, & TransUnion)

If you want to see your credit score, you will have to pay a small fee.  However, if you are just looking to clean up your credit report, there is really no reason to pay for your score at this time. 

Step #2 - Take a Close Look at Each Credit Report

If you have paid off old accounts and they are still showing a balance or if it was charged off and moved to a collection agency, you can dispute the entry and it will be removed.

Most disputes can be addressed online.  Each agency will have it's own procedure, but basically you will need to provide them with proof of payment such as:

• A statement from the creditor or collection agency showing the account has been paid.
• A canceled check showing the payment was processed.
• A bank statement showing canceled check or check-by-phone entry to the agency.

Here are the links to dispute errors:

• Experian Disputes
• Equifax Disputes
• Transunion Disputes

Step #3 - Follow Up!

Correcting or removing errors on your credit report may take 30-60 days. You should receive an email or letter as to the status of your dispute, If you don't, go back online to see what's been done.

If the credit bureaus have not made the correction, make a follow up dispute!  If you have provided proof (as above) that this account has been paid or settled-as-agreed, they will eventually correct the error, so don't give up.

You may need to call the agency and speak to a representative if you can't find any updates online.

Experian:       888-397-3742

Equifax:         800-685-1111

TransUnion:  800-916-8800

If you have accounts that you have not paid on in some time, we may be able to negotiate a settlement at 50% or less!

photo by: TrinityCreditServices