If a credit problem exists it may or may not be brought to your attention. For example, damaging inquiries and variations may appear in your file without your knowledge. However, if you apply for credit and there is a problem whereby you were rejected, you would be notified by the lender and told that the credit application denial was the result of a credit bureau report.

If you either know or suspect you have a credit problem, there is no way to know what you are up against unless you get a copy of your credit report. This is where any major roadblock to getting credit will surface.

Even before you attempt to obtain or increase credit lines, you should first obtain all credit reports that are available on you. You can accomplish that by calling for one or more of the credit bureaus listed and asking for your credit report. There may be a small fee for this service. However, if a creditor denies your application for credit, then you can receive a credit report at no charge from the credit-reporting agency. We recommend that you do not wait until a credit card company, bank, or other lender denies your application for credit, before you obtain the report.

Even if you don't suspect a problem, you should get a credit report on yourself just to identify any false of incorrect information that has been entered into your file. Damaging computer errors, human entry errors, incorrect social security numbers, addresses, employers, and income errors happen all the time. At the very least, you should make certain you haven't become the victim of computer error. Read more tactics

Other Tactics....................................................

When you receive your credit report, write down every piece of information that is inaccurate or untrue. Even if an entry is partially true, you may still want to dispute it. Especially if your credit report will be improved as a result.

Read all of the instructions on the back of your credit report very carefully. Symbols may be used for much of the information entered and you will have to understand each one. It's easy to become confused but a number you can call if you have a question will be provided.

Here are steps you can take to have damaging entries removed from your credit report:

1) Make a list of inaccurate or untrue entries that you find in your credit report.

2) Call the credit bureau and tell the appropriate person that you want to dispute an entry you have noted on your credit report. Read more tactics