Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Do you know the difference between 550 and 780? Yes, they are 230 digits apart, but they are also examples of good and bad credit scores, respectively.
Win a pair of $329 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Enter hereNo purchase necessary!
If you don’t check yours regularly, now is the time to start. Small mistakes are much more common than you think and can cause serious damage to your credit score. I’ll tell you about some of the most common credit report errors and what you can do to fix them.
5 MINUTE CLEANING FOR YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER
Step 1: Get your free credit report
All three credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) are required. by law to provide you with one free credit report per year. Sweet. There are a few ways to request a copy from each agency.
Online is the quickest route. If you submit a request by phone or by mail, wait two weeks after receiving the documentation.
- Online: www.AnnualCreditReport.com
- Phone: 877-FACTO (877-322-8228)
- Mail: Download and complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form. Send to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
For advice: Get your report from fourth credit bureau, Innovisalso.
Close-up of a man with a smartphone and laptop on January 31, 2019. (Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images)
Step 2: Look for the most common errors
Typos or incorrect information: Anything from your misspelled name to your address to your date of birth, with one number difference. Small mistakes can confuse your credit with someone else’s.
Accounts you don’t recognize: If you see something you don’t recognize, don’t ignore it! This includes credit cards you never applied for, loans in your name or purchases You didn’t do it.
Duplicates: It is not normal to see a debt twice on a credit report. This includes things like the same collection account, transferred debts that show up as separate accounts, or canceled debts that still remain there.
Incorrect account information: Sometimes payments may appear late by mistake or closed accounts may still appear as active. Other times, reports may show an incorrect credit limit or alter your payment history.
AI IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE: DIRECTIONS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER
Outdated information: Bankruptcies older than 10 years, late payments older than seven years, and stale collection accounts should not appear on your credit report.
Make Sure Websites Follow Your Rules: How to Check Permissions
Step 3: Report anything strange
Don’t panic! Write down and make copies of anything that seems strange, then file a dispute with the credit reporting company by mail, phone, or online.
If you apply online or by mail, explain in writing exactly what is wrong and why, and include copies of supporting documents. Be sure to include your contact information, credit report confirmation numbers, and a copy of your version of your credit report.
Close-up of the top corner of a consumer credit report from the credit agency Equifax, with text that says Credit File and Personal Identification, on a light wood surface, September 11, 2017. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
And always follow up! Offices must investigate your disputes within 30 days. Track your progress until you have a written resolution. If your dispute is valid, the office has to resolve it and inform the other offices as well.
Many of these problems come down to old-fashioned human error. It happens, but don’t let that stop you from taking charge.
Related: How to run a 5-minute privacy check on your phone
While you’re at it, look up your job number
Equifax also manages a database of 716 million revenues and employment recordsincluding, potentially, yours. It’s called a Job Number and employers use it to make sure you are who you say you are.
Your Employment Data Report (EDR) includes data such as where you worked, when you worked there, and your exact previous salary numbers.
TECH TIP: SAVE YOUR MEMORIES BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
Trying to get a new job? An employer could use your EDR to find your previous salary range and reduce it in negotiations. And of course, Equifax will sell your EDR to anyone who’s buying, including debt collectors.
Monetary intelligence: It’s not just fake calls and emails that put your banking information at risk
how to stop it
Can freeze your EDR like a credit report. You can also see who tried to access it in the last two years. You will need to create an account with The Work Number to do this.
- Search for your current or former employer(s) using your employer name or code (the nine-digit number on your W-2).
- Click on your name, followed by Register now. Note: You will be asked for your Social Security number.
Once you register, review your report and make sure it is accurate. Fill this data dispute form if you find something suspicious.
A credit card is displayed next to a restaurant bill. (iStock)
Then go back to the panel and click Freeze your data. Fill the Data Freeze Placement Form and send it. Work Number will send you a freeze confirmation letter, along with a PIN. Save your PIN in your password manager. You will need this if you ever want to unfreeze your report.
You can always log in to The Work Number or call them to unlock your report.
If you can’t find your employer: They may not be registered with The Work Number. Call the Freeze Help Line at 1-800-367-2884 to double check.
Unless you are actively applying for a loan or government benefitsor unless an employer actively requests your EDR, it’s a no-brainer to freeze it. And if a potential employer insists on checking your EDR to hire you, you may not be the right choice after all.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Get smarter technology on your schedule
Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating technology.
Copyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.
