Fixing a credit report starts with reading it carefully. You can go online and get a free credit report; just search for “free credit report” to get started. You can get a free copy of your credit report once a year; also, if you are denied credit on the basis of your credit report, you may then request a free credit report from that credit reporting bureau (this must be done in writing within 30 days of the denial of credit).

Once you see your report, you’ll know why you were denied credit. However, how can you set things right again? What do you do if you see inaccurate items on your report or ones which you feel to be unfair, even if they are accurate?

You can dispute any item on your credit report by writing to the credit agency. They will have to investigate within 30 days. You should send your dispute via certified mail and include any supporting documentation (for example, canceled checks and the like).

The credit reporting agency then has to contact the source of the disputed item. If the credit bureau does not receive a satisfactory answer within 14 days, they then remove the item from their records and send you a new copy with this item removed. Afterwards, they will send you an updated copy of your report and if you ask them to do so, they will also send a copy to any creditor who has asked to see your report in the last six months. You need to ask specifically for this, since it is not done automatically.

If the item is over a year old or amounts to less than $500, many creditors will see it as not worth their time and will not respond to the credit reporting bureau. Fixing a credit report can be done, even if the items contained are accurate. Even if you can’t have an item removed the first time you try, you are allowed to dispute it again after 30 days have passed.

If it is impossible to remove an item that you have disputed, you are permitted to add a brief explanation, which will be visible to anyone who pulls your credit report. This explanation will be viewable to any prospective creditor who looks at your credit report.

If there is a long history of late payments and defaults, fixing a credit report can be a long term project. Even if this is the case, you can clear up some items and give an explanation of others. This kind of effort will go along way in helping to repair your credit report.