Your credit report affects the rates you're offered, whether you're approved, and what you pay in deposits and insurance. Most people have never read theirs line by line. Use this checklist first, whether you plan to fix things yourself or get help.
1.Pull all three reports, free
Go to AnnualCreditReport.com, the only site federal law authorizes for free reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Pull all three: they don't always match, because each bureau keeps its own file.
Save or print each report so you can compare them and keep a record.
2.Check your personal information
Look at the names, addresses, phone numbers, and employers listed. Anything you don't recognize could mean a mixed file (someone else's information on your report) or identity theft.
3.Find accounts that aren't yours or appear twice
Look for accounts you never opened, and for the same debt listed more than once, for example by the original creditor and again by a collection agency.
4.Review every late payment
Check the dates and the statuses. Late payments reported on accounts you paid on time, or showing the wrong number of days late, are worth disputing.
5.Check the age of negative items
Most negative items can stay on your report for up to 7 years from the first missed payment. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy can stay up to 10 years. Paying or selling an old debt doesn't restart that clock.
6.Verify balances, limits, and account status
Wrong balances, wrong credit limits, or accounts marked open when they're closed or paid can hurt your score. How much of your limits you're using (your utilization) matters, and many lenders like to see it under 30%.
7.Look at your hard inquiries
A few inquiries from loans or cards you applied for are normal, and they typically stay on your report for 2 years. Ones you don't recognize are worth checking and may be disputable.
Found something wrong? How to dispute it yourself
- Gather proof: statements, payment records, letters.
- Dispute it with the credit bureau (online or by mail) and, when you can, with the company that reported it.
- Be specific: name the item, say what is wrong, and attach your proof.
- Bureaus generally must investigate within 30 days (up to 45 in some cases) and tell you the result in writing.
- Pull an updated report to confirm the change, and keep copies of everything.
Quick ways to strengthen your credit now
- Pay every bill on time. Set up autopay or reminders.
- Keep card balances low compared to your limits.
- Keep your oldest accounts open when you can.
- Avoid applying for lots of new credit right before a big loan.
- Check your reports regularly.
Red flags when hiring help
- Anyone who guarantees a specific score, or promises that accurate negative items will be removed.
- Anyone who tells you to dispute everything, including accurate items, or to create a new credit identity.
- Anyone who won't give you a written contract, and a copy of the federal “Consumer Credit File Rights” notice, before you sign.
Want a hand with it?
You can do all of this yourself for free. If you find errors and would rather have someone handle the disputes, we're here to help.
Book a free consultation →This checklist is for education only and is not legal or financial advice. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed. Credit repair services are regulated by the Credit Repair Organizations Act.