How to Report to the Credit Bureau

If you’re looking to improve your credit score, one of the best things you can do is report any positive activity to the credit bureau. Here’s a quick guide on how to do just that.

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Introduction

Report any inaccuracies to the credit bureau.

The credit reporting company must investigate the items in question — usually within 30 days — unless they consider your dispute frivolous. They also must forward all the relevant data you provide about the inaccuracy to the organization that provided the information. After the information provider gets notice of a dispute from the credit reporting company, it must investigate, review the relevant information, and report its findings back to the credit reporting company. If the investigation reveals that there was indeed an error, you can expect a correction to show up on your credit report within a matter of months.

How to Report to the Credit Bureau

You can report to the credit bureau in two ways: by mail or online. Online reporting is the quickest and easiest way to file a report. You can also report by mail, but it will take longer for the credit bureau to process your report.

Online

The best way to report to the credit bureau is online. You can either visit the website of the credit bureau you want to report to or you can use a third-party website that will report to all three credit bureaus.

When you report online, you will need to provide some basic information about yourself and the debt that you want to report. You will also need to create an account with the credit bureau or with the third-party website. Once you have done this, you will be able to log in and report the debt.

By Mail

The three majore credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) accept dispute reports by mail. You will need to include your full name, address, date of birth, social security number and other identifying information in your report, as well as a detailed description of the error you are disputing. Be sure to include copies (NOT originals) of any documentation you have to support your claim and a return address so the credit bureau can send you a response. You can find mailing addresses for the credit bureaus on their websites.

By Telephone

You can report most information about your credit accounts by telephone. The three national credit reporting companies have set up a central telephone number, 1-877-322-8228, which they call the Consumer Response Center. You can use this number to order your free annual report from each of the companies or to report information about your credit accounts.

Conclusion

After you’ve decided what information to include in your credit report, you’ll need to follow the procedures of the credit bureau you’re reporting to. Each credit bureau has its own method for submitting information, so be sure to check before you begin.

In general, though, you’ll fill out a form with your personal information and the details of your credit situation. You may also need to include supporting documentation, such as copies of bills or statements. Once you’ve submitted your report, the credit bureau will investigate and add the new information to your file.

Reporting to the credit bureau can help improve your credit score and make it easier to get approved for loans and lines of credit in the future. It’s important to stay vigilant about your credit report and make sure that all the information is accurate. If you see anything that doesn’t look right, don’t hesitate to dispute it with the credit bureau.