If you have errors in your Experian credit report, you should write dispute letters to the credit bureaus that are reporting that inaccurate data. This page will give you a step-by-step guide to the dispute process with Experian. If you need help disputing your Experian credit report, you can always reach out to us for assistance through this site or call us at (888) 400-CREDIT | (888) 400-2733 to get help.
Why Write a Dispute Letter to Experian
Experian can exert a huge influence on your life. If you apply for a car loan, try to rent an apartment or hope to obtain a credit card, the credit history and credit score reported by Experian could be the difference in whether you are granted credit or rejected. Errors on your Experian report can impact your credit score, your credit history, and in some case whether a report can be be issued at all.
So if you have errors on your Experian credit report, it's important that you dispute those errors with Experian and creditors so that the inaccurate information is removed from your report.
Finally, if you need to correct your Experian report and cannot do so through the dispute process, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides a legal path for a remedy. But in order to take advantage of your legal rights under the FCRA, you must first write a dispute letter to Experian and ask that it remove inaccurate information from your credit report. Follow these steps to make sure your dispute gets to the right place and has the right information to remove any inaccurate information. If you need additional help writing your disputes, feel free to reach out for help from our team or call us at (888) 400-CREDIT | (888) 400-2733 to get help.
Get Your Experian Credit Report
While many people suspect that there may be errors on their credit reports, there is no way to know for sure unless you have a copy and can locate the specific problem. The FCRA requires the credit bureaus to give a free copy of your credit report annually. Experian must follow this requirement. You can find more information about requesting your Experian credit report here, or request a copy of your credit file using our free request letters.
Review Your Whole Experian Credit Report
Credit reports generally have four sections: 1) identification information, 2) public record information, 3) credit and debt accounts, and 4) inquiries into the report. Review each sections of your report looking for errors, unfamiliar accounts and inquiries by companies that you do not recognize. For any items that stand out, circle the item and make a not about why the entry is wrong or should be investigated. Once you have completed your review and marked up the report, you are ready to write your dispute letter.If you need additional reading or understanding your Experian credit report, reach out for help from our team or call us at (888) 400-CREDIT | (888) 400-2733 to get help.
Make a Markup Copy of Your Experian Credit Report
First, make a copy of each report that you are reviewing so you can mark up any items that you intend to dispute. You will need this "markup" later as an attachment to any credit dispute. And, in the event that you need to file a lawsuit, you will also need this "markup" copy to help your lawyer build a timeline of disputes. To make a markup copy, simply make a photocopy of your Experian report. Then circle and mark with an asterisk, the items that you believe are inaccurate. Set aside the original -- preferably in a sheet protector -- so it can be used as evidence later.
Write a Credit Dispute Letter to Experian
Your dispute letter has two major purposes. First, it puts the credit bureau on notice of an error or other problem. Second, it provides the supporting information needed for the credit bureau to correct your report.
These letters should be factual, avoid emotion, and state clearly and specifically what is wrong with the report and why. You can use our free template letter and the explanation of how to write a dispute, or Lyngklip & Associates can help you through this process. We have also published a detailed article on how to write dispute letters. If you need additional help writing your disputes, reach out for help from our team or call us at (888) 400-CREDIT | (888) 400-2733 to get help.
Attach Proof Documents
If you have any documents that can help prove that you are right, you should include those with your letter. For instance, if you are disputing your date of birth or current address, you should attach a copy of your drivers license or other photo ID. If you are disputing whether you paid off a loan, attach account statements showing the balance. You should attach any document that you think would help someone determine whether you the information on the report is inaccurate or misleading.If you need additional help identifying helpful proof documents reach out for help from our team or call us at (888) 400-CREDIT | (888) 400-2733 to get help.
Send Your Dispute to Experian by Certified Mail
While you can send your dispute by first class mail, credit bureaus regularly deny having received credit disputes. As such, you should send the dispute by certified mail, return receipt requested. This will allow you to verify that the dispute was sent and received. The return receipt will serve as proof that the credit bureau got your dispute, triggering their duty to respond.
Send Your Experian Dispute Letter to the Responsible Creditor or Debt Collector
One of the most common mistakes people make is sending the dispute to the wrong place. The FCRA requires that consumers send their dispute to the credit bureaus before that consumer can hold anyone accountable for failing to dispute. Consumers can, and should, also send their disputes to the responsible creditor, but the most important thing is to send the dispute to the credit bureau. Once the credit reporting agency receives that dispute, it is their job to forward the dispute to the responsible creditor.
Keep a Copy of Your Letter and Attachments
Do not rely on Experian to keep copies of your disputes. (They do not even keep copies of the reports that they publish about you.) Often, these disputes are misplaced and never acted upon by Experian. Your dispute should be sent certified mail, return receipt requested. Additionally, Experian may only keep records for a limited time, and the history of your dispute may extend over five or ten years. You should make a complete photocopy of the dispute in the exact form that it was sent to Experian, signature and exhibits included. Store these copies in a safe place so that it can be easily retrieved if you have to refer to it again or need it for evidence. Better yet, scan copies and keep them safe on your computer and a backup site.
Respond to the Results from Experian
If sending a single credit dispute letter was all that it took to clean up credit reporting errors, more people would certainly do it. But the FCRA requires Experian to do its own investigation of your dispute, and many times those disputes do not not turn out in favor of the consumer.
If Experian rejects your dispute, review the response and try to determine if there is any additional information or documentation that can support your dispute. It could be that you didn't provide enough information to convince the agency that their information is incorrect. You may re-file your dispute letter with additional supporting documentation; keep in mind, however, that re-filing the same dispute repeatedly could be considered frivolous and hurt your chances of getting the item removed later. If you are able to provide additional information, you should do so.
Similarly, if there is additional documentation that can support your position, submit another dispute to Experian and ask that it investigate using the new documents.
Once you have provided all the information and documentation you have available, you should ask that Experian provide a detailed explanation of its reasoning for refusing your disputes. You should continue to dispute as long as you have new information or documents to provide to Experian in response to their investigations. Once you have responded to all their concerns, you are done disputing.
Credit Restoration, Compensation, and Your Fees Paid
If you have completed the dispute process and you still can't get the credit bureaus to correct your report, the FCRA allows you to sue Experian. In most cases we are able to remove the false credit, get compensation for the consumer, and have the other side pay all the fees and costs.
Our experienced credit report attorneys have sued Experian before and can let you know if you are ready to sue the credit bureaus and banks who have ruined your credit.
How We Can Help You
No matter where you are in the dispute process with Experian and how much help you need, Lyngklip & Associates is ready. If you need help drafting your own dispute, you can use our self help resources or you can call us to help coach you through the process. If you have already finished your disputes, you may be ready to file a lawsuit. Lyngklip & Associates, Southfield consumer law attorneys, offer free consultations to those who are struggling to have Experian fix incorrect information on their credit reports. Call us at or complete our online form to schedule a consultation or call us at (888) 400-CREDIT | (888) 400-2733 to get help.
