- 1). Order your credit report. Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, you have the right to receive one free credit report each year from the three bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Order your report at Annualcreditreport or from the bureau's website. You can also order the report by phone or mail.
- 2). Check the report for errors. Read the "Negative Accounts" section to ascertain if the late payments in question are still present on the report. Bureaus update their database often, so information may have changed.
- 3). File an online dispute with the credit bureau. The form allows you to specify which late payments you're disputing and why. You can also file a dispute over the phone or by mail. Mailed disputes must include a dispute letter that details the items you're disputing and the reasons for the dispute. Include supporting documentation, if applicable.
- 4). Print your online dispute form. Also print your credit report if you accessed it online. You can receive one free report under FACTA, but if you fail to print it, the bureau may charge you a fee to view it again at a later date.
- 5). Wait for the results. Under the FCRA, credit bureaus have up to 30 days to investigate your dispute and correct errors. If you filed your dispute online, you will receive your results via email. If you filed your dispute by mail or phone, the bureau sends the results to you by regular mail. The bureau will also include an updated copy of your credit report that shows the deletion of the late payments.
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