Q. How do I write a letter to a creditor to dispute a mistake on my credit report?

A. When you are disputing an entry on your credit report that you believe to be in error, you have to contact the credit reporting agency (Equifax, TransUnion or Experian) that has recorded the error.

Please read the sample letter that will show you how to inform the agency of their mistake. The addresses and P.O. Box numbers listed will get your letter into the right hands. Be sure to include copies (NOT originals) of documents that support your position, e.g., a cancelled check, paid receipt, etc.

Once the credit reporting agency receives your complaint, it will forward the information to the creditor. Upon receipt of this complaint the creditor has 30 days to prove you haven't paid the bill in question. If the creditor cannot do this, then the item is taken off your credit report. If, however, they cannot find proof of payment in their records and you do not have receipts, it will remain your report unless you can dig deeper and prove that it was paid.

The credit agencies will attempt to trace any contested information on their credit report. Just be very specific when writing them about what information is incorrect and why it is incorrect. Also, be sure to highlight the problem on the copy of the credit report you send, so it can be easily found.

The credit agencies get millions of pieces of information each day and they freely admit that they make errors. We hope they solve your problem quickly and that your credit score improves accordingly.