You have checked your credit report and found something on there that should not be there.
You cannot apply for a new loan or credit card because if this mark is on there, the company will more than likely turn you down.
So, what are you supposed to do?
How can you get this mark taken off your credit report and have your score restored?
If the report you have pulled only featured one credit score, you will need to obtain a credit report for all agencies. At times, the problem account will not show up on all of the reporting agencies.
It may not be necessary to contact all agencies if the problem is limited to only one or two of them.
If you belong to an online credit reporting service, you should be able to file the complaint right online. Most of these services offer some type of form and will handle the process for you once it is completed.
If not, you will need to write a detailed letter explaining the problem.
If the account is on all of your credit reports, you should contact them all in order to make sure they are aware of the situation and address it.
Once the report has been filed, it becomes a waiting game until they complete their investigation. Take the time to read the documentation requirements before you send off your grievance to ensure it takes as little time as possible for the investigation.
If they contact you requiring more information, get it to them as soon as possible.
When you are finally notified the wrongful debt has been removed from your account, pull another credit report to verify that all agencies have removed the account.
If some of them have not, supply copies of the paperwork from the agency that has removed the account as proof that this account is not yours and does not belong on your report.
Learn more about credit disputes at Experian