Credit reports are assembled from data furnished by many sources, and errors are common: accounts that aren't yours, payments marked late that weren't, balances that are stale, debts listed twice.
Before any funding application, review your reports. Disputing genuine errors is free, and corrections can act within weeks.
The errors that show up most often
- Payments reported late that were actually on time
- Accounts that don't belong to you (often confusion with similar names)
- Paid-off balances still showing as outstanding
- The same debt listed more than once
- Outdated information past its reporting window
How to dispute correctly
Dispute directly with the bureau reporting the error : in writing, with documentation: statements, payment confirmations, correspondence. Be specific about what's wrong and what the correct information is. The bureau investigates with the furnisher and must respond within a defined window.
Dispute with each bureau that shows the error : they don't share investigations.
What disputing can and can't do
Disputing fixes errors. It does not remove accurate negative information, and no service can make accurate negatives disappear. If a company promises otherwise : especially for an upfront fee : walk away.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If this topic relates to a funding need you have, you can begin a funding request through Kennify's financing partner at any time.