How to Dispute Something on Your TransUnion Credit Report

Filing a credit report dispute with TransUnion is easy. Here’s how to do it.

One of the most important things you should check throughout your credit report is that the information listed in it is accurate. Sometimes, creditors report information that is inaccurate or outdated. Fortunately, if you spot something that doesn’t look right in your TransUnion report, it’s easy to file a dispute. Here’s how it works.

Why Dispute?

If you’re reviewing your report and notice something that’s not accurate, the inaccuracy could have a negative effect on your credit scores and perceived creditworthiness. If you file a dispute, the bureau producing the report (in this case, TransUnion), will investigate the credit report item in dispute. If it’s found to be inaccurate, the bureau will change it so that it’s accurate, which could mean removing it or altering it in some other way.

How to Dispute

Each bureau has its own way of receiving and processing disputes to its credit reports. At TransUnion, it’s easiest and fastest to dispute online: simply create your account or log in at dispute.transunion.com to get started. You can also call TransUnion or mail in a dispute.

What to Expect

The outcome of your dispute depends on what the investigation reveals. If it is found that you did have inaccurately listed information in your report, it will be changed to be listed accurately. Regardless of the outcome, you’ll be updated at key moments throughout the dispute process and can log in anytime to check the progress. Investigations typically take 30 days to complete, but 30-45 days is a good estimate. It’s in the best interest of the bureaus to make sure their credit reports are as accurate as possible, so you can trust your dispute will be investigated fairly.

Stay smart and stay protected with:

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  Protection

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  • Rest easy with up to $25,000 in ID theft insurance

When it comes right down to it, you really do want to find out if something is wrong before it's too late. Identity theft is a great example. If someone is using your personal information—your name, address, credit cards, etc. — you want to find out as soon as possible. Credit Monitoring may not seem like something you need to do but it doesn't take long for someone to open accounts in your name, take out loans, or buy a car. A lot of damage can be done in a short amount of time.

The reality is that errors happen, and if you aren't monitoring your credit report, you often don't find out until you've been denied for something, like a new line of credit, or more credit on an existing line. And mistakes of this kind aren't easy to sort out. It can take months, or longer.

With good credit monitoring, you can catch things before they spread. It's the financial equivalent of a regular checkup. You get tips about credit card utilization and how credit inquiries can influence your credit score. Every little bit helps.

Or what if you're planning on buying a new house? You think your credit is in order until the bank denies your application. Why? Apparently you owe hundreds of dollars in interest on a purchase you never even made. Our advice? Stay on top of it. Monitor your credit report. Have access to it every single day.
 

Take the next step: protect your credit and start saving money.

This article was originally published at TrueCredit.