What to check on your credit report

Read for accuracy, one section at a time

Reviewing a credit report can feel unfamiliar. Give yourself permission to approach it slowly. Begin with your identifying information, then move through the listed accounts. Look for incorrect names or addresses, unfamiliar accounts, inaccurate balances or credit limits, and payment information that does not match your records. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also highlights closed accounts shown as open and the same debt appearing more than once as possible errors to investigate.

Create a short question list

As you read, separate what you recognize from what needs clarification. Try three headings on a private sheet of paper: item, question and next action. For an account you do not recognize, your first question might be, 'Which company reported this?' For a balance, it might be, 'Which statement should I compare?' You do not have to resolve every question during the first reading.

Follow the official dispute process

If you find inaccurate or incomplete information, the CFPB recommends contacting both the credit reporting company and the business that supplied it. Clearly identify the issue, explain your concern and provide copies of supporting records. Keep your originals and retain copies of what you send. Use the current instructions from the reporting company and the CFPB rather than relying on a social media template promising a particular outcome.

Keep the next step manageable

Choose one item to follow up on, record the date and save any response. If a reply is confusing, write down the exact question you still need answered. Treat the review as an information-gathering habit, not a judgment about yourself. This overview does not promise a credit score change, deletion or lending decision. Keep reports and account details private; a general website contact form is not the place to upload them.