Having a solid credit score is a great way to improve your chances of being approved for a mortgage. A high credit score can also help you get a lower interest rate and more favorable terms. So, if you discover black marks on your credit report that shouldn’t be there, you need to dispute them. Here’s how to do it.

What qualifies as an error on your credit report

Here are a few examples of common errors you can dispute:

• A late payment you know you paid on time
• An account listed as in collections that you paid off
• Accounts are showing more than once
• A credit account is showing as open that should be closed
• “Mystery” accounts are showing, possibly due to identity theft

Contact both the business and the credit bureau

To formally dispute any error you find on your credit report, write a letter both to the business associated with the issue and the credit bureau where you found the mistake. Clearly explain what you think is wrong and provide copies of any documentation that supports your claim. Make a copy of your letter and keep it for your records.

Your letter needs to include:

1. Your full contact details
2. A request that the bureau investigates and corrects the inaccurate or incomplete information.
3. A list of each mistake you would like fixed, with an explanation for why each one is wrong.
4. A printed copy of your credit report with the problem items circled.
5. Copies of all documents that support your claim.

Letters sent to the businesses do not need to include a copy of your credit report or mention of mistakes related to other organizations. If more than one bureau is showing the mistake, you will need to contact each of them separately. All three credit bureaus must investigate disputes for free.

What’s next?

Once your dispute has been received, the credit bureau has 30 days to conduct their investigation. At the end of the investigation, you will be notified of the results either way. If your dispute results in a change, you will be given a free copy of your updated credit report. The bureau will also contact the other two bureaus to update your file and must send notices of the correction to any organization that pulled your credit report over the past six months. In some cases, the business that supplied the incorrect information will contact the credit bureau to correct the error. This is why it is important to contact both.

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