Client’s Guide

An important step to financial security is learning how to read and understand your credit report so that you can use it to build a positive credit history. 

Your credit report is divided into the following four sections:

1. Identifying Information – personal information about you
2. Credit History- the status and condition of your accounts
3. Public Records Information – judgments, tax liens and bankruptcies
4. Inquiries – which businesses have requested your credit report
5. Consumer Statements – letters you send to the credit bureau explaining unresolved discrepancies

When you order your credit reports, review each of these areas carefully to ensure there are no discrepancies consisting of erroneous or inaccurate information. If there is, contact the credit bureau to request an investigation.

Requesting a Copy of Your Credit Report

To request a copy of your credit report, you will generally need to provide the following information to the credit bureau:

1. Full name ( including Jr., Sr., II).
   
2. Social Security number (SSN).
   
3. Current and previous addresses within the last 5 years
   
4. Birth date
   
5. Signature
   
6. Telephone number.

Always call the credit bureau first to verify exactly what information they require and to get the correct address if you send a letter.

Date

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
                                                                                                                       
Complaint Department
Name of Credit Reporting Agency
Address
City, State, Zip Code


Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to dispute the following information in my file.  The items I dispute also are (highlighted/circled) on the attached copy of the credit report I received.
This item (identify item/s disputed by name of source, such as name of creditor or tax court, and identify type of item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.) is inaccurate or incomplete because (describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why).  I am requesting that the item be deleted (or request another specific change) to correct the information.

Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence if applicable and describe any enclosed documentation, such as payment records, court documents) supporting my position.  Please reinvestigate this/these matter/s and (delete or correct) the disputed item/s as soon as possible.
Sincerely,

1. Start by contacting credit bureaus to get a copy of your credit report.
2. Get a copy of your credit report from all three of the major credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.
3. Review your credit reports for erroneous and inaccurate information.
4. If there are discrepancies on your credit report, send a dispute letter challenging the information to the credit bureau and request an investigation.
5. Contact your creditors and lenders and ask them for assistance in resolving the discrepancies in your credit report
6. Wait at least 30 days for a response and if one is not received, contact the credit bureau and demand a resolution of the discrepancies.
7. Keep copies of all documents you send and a log of all the phone calls you make to the credit bureaus.
8. After the credit bureaus verify resolution, request another copy of your credit reports to review and ensure proper resolution.
9. If errors and inaccuracies remain that you still dispute, send another letter requesting reinvestigation.
10. If the discrepancies are not resolved to your satisfaction, send a consumer statement to the proper credit bureau(s) explaining your dispute.
11. Contact your lenders to renegotiate payment plans.

Only consistent efforts and making payments on your debts will improve your credit.

BCC Will Not Promise to do any of the following:

1. Promise to erase your bad credit or to remove bankruptcies and judgments from your credit file.  No one can have accurate information removed.

1. Offer to create a new identity for you.  If you make false statements on loan applications or use a fake Social Security number, you will be committing fraud.  You can also be charged for mail or wire fraud if you use the mail or telephone to apply for credit and provide false information. It is illegal to change your identity without going through the proper legal channels.

2. Will not tell you your rights and what you can do yourself.  Remember, you can order your credit report yourself.  If you see errors on your report, you can also request that the credit reporting agencies make appropriate changes.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Division of Compliance and Consumer Affairs
550 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC  20429
1-877-275-3342
Email: consumer@fdic.gov
Web Site:  http://www.fdic.gov

www.frud.org    1-800-876-7060