When you first receive your Trans Union and Equifax credit reports, you will be totally lost. The information is coded in a way that is not immediately readable by the average consumer. Each credit report should arrive with a key that interprets the codes and indicators on the credit report. Sit down with the credit report and the key and study it until you understand what each number and code means.
Don't write on your original credit report -- yet. Make all of your notes on a copy of the report. You will be sending your original report with your dispute letter, so you should make at least two copies of each new report. The original goes with the dispute, one copy is for notes, and the other copy is what you will send in to the credit agency.
Gather a yellow and orange highlighter pen. Whenever you identify a negative listing, mark the listing in yellow on your scratch copy of the credit report.
Very often, it is difficult to tell if an item on the credit report is negative or positive. The following table will help you identify every negative listing on your credit reports.
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When you first receive your Trans Union and Equifax credit reports, you will be totally lost. The information is coded in a way that is not immediately readable by the average consumer. Each credit report should arrive with a key that interprets the codes and indicators on the credit report. Sit down with the credit report and the key and study it until you understand what each number and code means.
Don't write on your original credit report -- yet. Make all of your notes on a copy of the report. You will be sending your original report with your dispute letter, so you should make at least two copies of each new report. The original goes with the dispute, one copy is for notes, and the other copy is what you will send in to the credit agency.
Gather a yellow and orange highlighter pen. Whenever you identify a negative listing, mark the listing in yellow on your scratch copy of the credit report.
Very often, it is difficult to tell if an item on the credit report is negative or positive. The following table will help you identify every negative listing on your credit reports.