TransUnion Dispute: How to Remove Credit Report Errors

Transunion Dispute

I used to assume the information on my credit report would be up-to-date and accurate, but unfortunately, mistakes can happen. Several years ago, I was reviewing my credit report and noticed some erroneous information that was bringing my score down. Thankfully, I was able to resolve the issue through a Transunion dispute and my score was corrected.

Credit report errors can be both commonplace and costly. If you’re not regularly checking your credit report for erroneous entries, you could be looking at a credit score that’s lower than you deserve. A lower credit score means you may be paying higher interest rate charges, and could even be denied a loan.

It’s been reported by the Federal Trade Commission that around 20% of consumers have errors on their credit reports, and that these errors end up costing us millions of dollars every year.

If you’ve recently gotten a copy of your TransUnion credit report and have found erroneous entries on it, don’t panic — there are quick and easy options to get these errors removed. Let’s take a look at how to remove credit report errors.

Getting Help Filing a Dispute

If you’re not confident in your ability to dive into the dispute process yourself with the TransUnion online credit dispute tool (which we’ll discuss below), not to worry. There is help out there for folks who simply want to leave this type of thing to the experts. A reputable credit repair service can help make sure your erroneous credit entry dispute gets handled correctly and efficiently.

Lexington Law is one of the best known and most respected credit repair agencies around, rating 4.5 stars with Consumer Affairs, and we highly recommend their services.

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The diligent experts at Lexington Law have been advocating for consumers and getting erroneous entries removed from credit reports for years – and they can help you too.

TransUnion’s Online Tool Makes it Easy to Dispute Errors

For those who want to handle the issue themselves, TransUnion makes it easy to file and manage disputed entries on your credit report.

You can also contact the bureau directly via the TransUnion dispute phone number, 800-916-8800, though TransUnion recommends the quickest and most efficient way to dispute errors is online.

TransUnion's Dispute Page

Those who wish to dispute a credit report error with TransUnion would start here.

By simply visiting the TransUnion website and clicking the Credit Report Assistance tab, you’ll see a Credit Report Disputes option. Clicking on this link takes you to a page that explains in detail the process of disputing an error, and it also displays a very clear link to the TransUnion online dispute form.

Clicking the link to “File a Dispute” or “Check the Status of a Dispute” takes you to a login screen where you can create an account or log in with an existing account name and password.

The 10 Steps to Filing a Dispute with TransUnion

Once you’ve created an account, you’ll be presented with a series of 10 steps that will walk you through submitting your online credit report dispute.

  1. Enter your personal information like name, SSN, and email address.
  2. Provide your current mailing address.
  3. Provide your previous address if less than two years at your current address.
  4. Provide the Credit Report File Number (also called the File Identification Number) which is located in the upper right corner of the credit report.
  5. If any of the personal information on your credit report is inaccurate, this step allows you to edit and correct it.
  6. The form will then ask for verification if personal information is disputed in the previous step.
  7. This is the step where you enter the specific report items you are disputing.
  8. In this step you will provide specific details of the dispute, including company name, account number and the reason for the dispute. Potential reasons for disputing include:
    • Not my account
    • I have never paid late
    • Account is in bankruptcy
    • Account is closed
    • Account has been paid in full
    • Was paid before collection or charge-off
  9. This step allows you to add any relevant comments related to the disputed credit report entry.
  10. This final step allows you to view the entire dispute claim and to verify or edit the information you’ve entered.

Keep in mind that hitting “Cancel” at any point in the process automatically closes the form and erases all of the information entered.

When to Expect Results

Depending on the disputed item and whether or not TransUnion needs to contact the furnisher of the disputed entry, it may take a few weeks to resolve.

On the other hand, disputed personal information may be corrected within a few days. In either case, it pays to follow up and check your TransUnion dispute status. This can be done by entering the account information and logging in to the TransUnion website, or by checking the status with your representative at Lexington Law.

The bottom line is that credit report errors can cost you money and affect your chances of getting a loan. Don’t let these mistakes remain on your credit report. Unfortunately, many consumers are unaware of how commonplace legitimate errors can pop up on their credit reports. It’s important to remain vigilant and get those errors corrected sooner than later. And you can do something about it by filing a dispute or having the experts at Lexington Law do it for you. Make sure you have the credit score you deserve.

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