Get a free copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion each maintain records on you, and you can access them for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Review your report carefully for errors. Common mistakes include wrong personal information, accounts that aren't yours, closed accounts listed as open, incorrectly reported late payments, duplicate accounts, wrong balances, and wrong credit limits.
If you find an error, take these steps. First, write to the credit bureau reporting the mistake. Include details and documentation. Credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate and must respond to you in writing. They must also forward your dispute to the company that provided the incorrect information.
Next, send copies of your documentation to the company reporting the error. Include all details that support your claim.
The credit reporting agency must inform you in writing of the results. If your dispute caused a permanent change, you get a free copy of your updated credit report. You can also request that the bureau send correction notices to anyone who received your report in the last six months, or to employers who requested it.
False negative information removed from your report stops dragging your score down immediately. True negative information stays on your report for up to seven years. Bankruptcy remains for 10 years.
Services like CreditKarma.com and CreditSesame.com offer free alerts for new accounts in your name and credit score changes.