Identification Requirements When Disputing Credit Report Errors

Disputing credit report errors starts when consumers find errors on their Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion (also known as credit reporting agencies or CRAs) credit reports.  Then they must dispute the inaccurate information through the CRAs to have it reinvestigated and removed.  The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires the CRAs to reinvestigate “if the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained in a consumer’s file at a consumer reporting agency is disputed by the consumer and the consumer notifies the agency directly, or indirectly through a reseller…”  However, in the past, the CRAs have put in prerequisites before reinvestigating.  Some of these prerequisites have already been found to be illegal.  This includes forcing consumers to sign arbitration agreements, forcing consumers to use specific CRA forms, or refusing to reinvestigate before certain documents (i.e. a police report) are submitted.

Send a copy of government ID if possible

The most important factor is if the CRA can adequately identify the consumer and the disputed information.  If they can, they are required to reinvestigate.  The CFPB recommends sending a “copy of a government issued identification card, (such as a driver’s license or state ID card, etc.), and one copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement, etc” along with the dispute letter.