1. Further your understanding of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). These Federal rules, regulations and guidelines have to be followed by consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion in order for them to be consumer reporting companies. Specifically for our purposes we will focus on three parts of the (FCRA)

1. Read FCRA Section 611(a)(1)(A) which states:

   "If the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained in a consumer's file at a consumer reporting agency is disputed by the consumer and the consumer notifies the agency directly of such dispute, the agency shall reinvestigate free of charge and record the current status of the disputed information, or delete the item from the file in accordance with paragraph (5), before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the agency receives the notice of the dispute from the consumer."

2. Read the FCRA Section 611(a)(3)(A) which states:

   "...a consumer reporting agency may terminate a reinvestigation of information disputed by a consumer under that paragraph if the agency reasonably determines that the dispute by the consumer is frivolous or irrelevant, including by reason of a failure by a consumer to provide sufficient information to investigate the disputed information." The law requires that an agency notify you within 5 business days if they determine your dispute to be frivolous or irrelevant. The law does not dare to define what is grounds for making such a determination except for "failure by a consumer to provide sufficient information to investigate the disputed information."

3. c. Read the FCRA Section 611(a)(5)(A) which states:

   Historically, an item that was deleted would occasionally reappear on a consumer's credit file. This occurred when a credit grantor automatically updated a consumer's payment history. Most often this happened with a credit granter with whom the consumer still had payment activity. However, the new FCRA does not allow a deleted item to be added again unless the creditor certifies that the information is correct.

2. Take an active role in maintaining an improving your credit by getting your free credit report.

1. The FCRA requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - to provide you a free credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.
2. You can order three ways

1. Online at www.annualcreditreport.com
2. On the phone 1-877-322-8228
3. Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

   You need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. If you have moved in the last two years, you may have to provide your previous address. To maintain the security of your file, each nationwide consumer reporting company may ask you for some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment.



3. Three things that you MUST do for effective credit repair results.

1. Always dispute in writing.

1. This step allows you to enclose copies of supporting documentation when needed.
2. Gives you a physical audit trail if needed.

2. Make sure each dispute has a specific reason and a specific action to be taken.

1. This step will effectively prevent the agency from not being required to reinvestigate an item for which it deems "frivolous or irrelevant." As stated in FCRA Section 611(a)(3)(A).

3. Always send your disputes return receipt

1. (611(a)(1)(A) of the FCRA the agency is allowed 30 days to correct the status of the item; or, if the item is found to belong to someone else, or, can no longer be verified, then the agency must immediately delete the item from the consumer's record.

Copyright (c) 2005 by Bruce A Hoover. All Rights Reserved. Effective legal step by step HOW-TO credit repair information. "Credit Guru" Author Bruce Hoover has taken this information on-line to serve you better. Visit the On-line Credit Report Help Center at http://www.renewmycreditreport.com Subscribe to Credit World! Send a blank email to CreditWorld@renewmycreditreport.com