A Step-by-Step Guide to Disputing Credit Report Errors in Mississippi

Your credit report is one of your most important financial documents. It’s used by lenders, landlords, employers, and others to assess your creditworthiness and responsibility. So when errors crop up on your report, they can have serious consequences, from higher interest rates to missed job opportunities.

Fortunately, you can dispute any inaccurate information on your credit report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). But the dispute process can be confusing and intimidating if you’ve never done it before.

As consumer protection attorneys serving Mississippi, we’ve helped many clients navigate the credit dispute process and get errors removed from their reports. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to identify errors, gather documentation, submit disputes, and follow up to ensure your report gets corrected.

Step 1: Review your credit reports

The first step is to obtain your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You’re entitled to one free report from each bureau every 12 months. Since COVID, these credit bureaus have allowed a credit report once a week. You can request them through the official website, AnnualCreditReport.com.

Read through each report carefully, looking for any inaccurate or incomplete information. Common credit report errors to watch for include:

• Accounts that don’t belong to you
• Incorrect payment statuses
• Inaccurate credit limits or loan balances
• Duplicate accounts
• Misspelled names or incorrect personal information
• Outdated information (most negative items should fall off after 7 years)

Make a note of any errors you find and which credit report(s) they appear on. You’ll need to dispute each error with each bureau that’s reporting it.

Step 2: Gather supporting documentation

Next, collect any documentation you have to support your dispute. This could include:

• Proof of identity, like a driver’s license or passport
• Billing statements
• Canceled checks or bank statements showing payments made
• Court documents showing the resolution of legal matters
• Correspondence with creditors

If an account doesn’t belong to you at all, you may not have much documentation. That’s okay – you can still file a dispute noting that the account isn’t yours. But the more evidence you can provide, the stronger your dispute will be.

Step 3: Write a clear, concise dispute letter

While you can dispute errors online or by phone, we recommend doing it in writing via certified mail so you have a paper trail. Clearly identify each error you’re disputing and explain why it’s inaccurate. Here’s a sample template:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [Your City, State, Zip Code]

[Date]

[Credit Bureau Name and Address]

Dear [Credit Bureau Name],

I am writing to dispute inaccurate information on my [Credit Bureau Name] credit report. The following item(s) are incorrect:

[Account Name], [Account Number]: This account {explain the error, e.g. “is not mine,” “has an incorrect late payment reported in March 2023,” etc.}

[Repeat for any additional errors]

Please investigate these items and remove or correct them as soon as possible. I have enclosed copies of [any supporting documentation] to support my dispute.

Thank you,

[Your Name] [Enclosures]

Be sure to enclose copies (not originals) of any supporting documentation. Also, include a copy of the credit report with the errors circled or otherwise clearly marked.

Step 4: Submit your dispute and wait for a response

Mail your dispute letter and supporting documents to the credit bureau(s) reporting the error. Here are the mailing addresses:

• Equifax P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
• Experian P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013
• TransUnion Consumer Solutions P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016-2000

The credit bureau has 30 days to investigate and respond to your dispute (45 days in some cases). They must forward your information to the data furnisher (the creditor or entity that provided the information) for verification. If the data furnisher finds that the information is inaccurate, they must notify all three credit bureaus so the error gets corrected across the board.  Please mail certified letters with proof of receipt to the credit bureaus.  Keep the green cards for your file.

Step 5: Review the investigation results

Once the investigation is complete, the credit bureau must send you the results in writing along with a free copy of your updated report if any changes were made.

If the bureau determines that the disputed item is inaccurate, it must be corrected or deleted. However, if the bureau claims the information has been “verified,” they may continue reporting it. In this case, you still have some options:

• Escalate to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint portal
• Contact the creditor directly to dispute the information
• Add a statement to your report explaining the issue
• Get help from a consumer protection attorney

If all else fails, you may need to wait until the item ages off your report under the FCRA’s reporting time limits. Most negative items can only be reported for 7 years, though some bankruptcies can remain for 10 years.

Don’t give up – your credit is worth fighting for

Disputing credit report errors can feel like an uphill battle, but it’s worth it. Even a single error can wreak havoc on your credit score, so it’s important to be proactive in monitoring your reports and disputing any inaccuracies.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need help navigating the dispute process, consider contacting a consumer protection attorney. At Ware Law Firm, we’ve helped many Mississippians clear up credit report errors and get back on the path to financial health.

Remember, you have the right to an accurate credit report under federal law. Don’t let the credit bureaus or data furnishers brush you off. Stay persistent, document everything, and don’t hesitate to bring in legal help if you need it.

Your credit is one of your most valuable assets – so it’s worth fighting for. By following these steps and standing up for your rights, you can dispute errors and ensure that your credit report reflects your true creditworthiness.