As a business owner, I don’t want my customer feedback system to be described as “impossible,” or “rage-inducing,” or “a game of attrition.” The three major credit reporting agencies — TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian — don’t seem to share my concern in that regard. So buckle up!
First, there are scams. You may have heard of the “609 loophole” in ads that make fantastical claims about wiping out your debt using “this one weird trick.” Well the 609 loophole does exist, except it’s a feature and not a glitch (and no, it can’t be used to wipe out your debt).
609 is actually a section of the Fair Credit Reporting Act that says that if something is incorrect on your credit report, you have the right to write a letter disputing it. The burden then shifts to the business, and if it can’t provide proof then the credit agency has to remove the bad mark.
If you find yourself in the unenviable position of corresponding with a credit reporting agency, make sure you are very clear with your language and include:
- a copy of the credit report with the disputed item highlighted
- short and professional note about why you disagree with the information
- account numbers associated with the transaction
- any other backup material
Unfortunately, there is no weird trick to fixing credit. The best way to avoid accumulating errors on your credit report is to pay all of your bills in a reliable and predictable manner.
I think this is another area in which treating the household like a business might mentally shield you from all the downs of trying to stand up for yourself. If you’d like to learn more new and different ways to imagine your household, contact us.
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
(866) 349-5191
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
(888) 397-3742
TransUnion Consumer Solutions
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016-2000
(800) 916-8800
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