When you've suffered a personal injury, the last thing you want to deal with is inaccurate information on your credit report. Unfortunately, this can happen all too often, especially when medical bills are involved. If you find yourself in this situation, it's essential to know how to dispute these inaccuracies and protect your credit score. In this blog post, we'll outline five steps to help you dispute inaccurate information on your credit report after a personal injury.
1. Obtain a copy of your credit report
Before you can dispute any inaccuracies, you need to know what's on your credit report. You're entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once a year.
2. Review your credit report for inaccuracies
Once you have your credit report, carefully review it for any inaccuracies related to your personal injury. Common errors include incorrect personal information, duplicate accounts, and incorrect balances. Be sure to check each section of your report, including your personal information, account information, and public records.
3. Gather documentation to support your dispute
In order to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report, you'll need to provide evidence to support your claim. This may include copies of your medical bills, insurance statements, or correspondence with medical providers. If you've already paid off a debt that's still listed as unpaid on your report, gather proof of payment, such as a canceled check or a letter from the creditor.
4. File a dispute with the credit bureau
Once you have your documentation in order, you can file a dispute with the credit bureau that's reporting the inaccurate information. You can do this online, by mail, or over the phone. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides detailed information on how to file a dispute with each of the credit bureaus. Be sure to include all relevant documentation and clearly explain the reason for your dispute.
- Equifax Dispute
- Experian Dispute
- TransUnion Dispute
Keep in mind that the credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate your dispute and provide a response. If they find that the information is indeed inaccurate, they must correct it and notify the other credit bureaus of the change.
5. Follow up and monitor your credit report
After you've filed your dispute, it's important to follow up with the credit bureau to ensure that the inaccurate information has been removed or corrected. If the credit bureau doesn't resolve your dispute, you can request that a statement of your dispute be included in your credit report. Additionally, continue to monitor your credit report regularly to ensure that no further inaccuracies appear.
Disputing inaccurate information on your credit report can be a complex and time-consuming process, especially when you're dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury. If you need assistance with this process, the experienced attorneys at The Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C. can help. We specialize in personal injury cases and can guide you through the process of disputing inaccuracies on your credit report. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you protect your credit and your financial future.