mn fcra lawyer

How to Get Your Free Credit Report and Understand It

Let’s say you just found out that there is a mistake on your credit report. Maybe a lender turned down your loan application because of a delinquency that you know isn’t right. Or maybe a landlord denied your rental application because of a late payment that you know was actually on-time. Or maybe an account that isn’t yours popped up on your credit monitoring service. Either way, your next step is to get a full copy of your credit report to figure out what caused the mistake and start the process of fixing it.

How to Get Your Credit Report for Free

You’re entitled to one free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union) every 12 months. Use the website AnnualCreditReport.com to get your free copy. This is the only website to get your free report. Beware of imposter websites.

You can also order your free report over the phone by calling (877) 322-8228 or by mail by filling out this form and mailing it to Annual Credit Report Request Service; P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348.

You can order all three reports at once, or you can stagger the reports every couple of months so that you can monitor your credit reports throughout the year. Consider using this staggering technique before you pay for a credit monitoring product.

Your credit report won't contain your credit score, but there are a couple of easy ways to get it. First, many credit cards provide your credit score on each billing statement. If you have credit cards, check your billing statements to see if your score is provided. Another way to get it is to buy it from one of the credit bureaus. You can also buy your credit score at any time from MyFICO.com. Keep in mind that your credit score may be different depending on who you buy it from.

How to Know What You’re Looking At On Your Credit Report

A credit report is not the same as a credit score. It’s a detailed history of your credit activity, and it’s what lenders use to decide whether they trust you to repay a loan or credit line. Your credit report includes:

  • Personal Information. Your name, addresses, Social Security number (last 4 digits), date of birth, and employment history.

  • Account Information. All your open and closed credit accounts, including credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, and student loans. It shows balances, payment history, and whether you’ve been on time.

  • Public Records. Bankruptcies and possibly tax liens or judgments (though these are less common now).

  • Credit Inquiries. A list of companies that have recently checked your credit, either because you applied for something or through a soft pull (like when you check your own credit).

How to Read Your Credit Report Without Getting Lost

Credit reports can feel a bit technical, but here’s how to break it down:

Check for accuracy:

  • Is your name spelled correctly?

  • Are all listed addresses places you’ve actually lived?

  • Do all accounts belong to you?

  • Are the balances and payment histories accurate?

  • Are any accounts marked “late” when you know you paid on time?

  • If you’ve filed bankruptcy in the past, are there any accounts that were wiped out that still show a balance due?

Watch for red flags:

  • Accounts you don’t recognize (could be fraud or a mixed file)

  • Duplicate listings of the same debt

  • Collections or charge-offs that don’t belong to you

  • Very old debts that should’ve dropped off your report

  • Addresses that you never lived at (could indicate fraud or a mixed file)

What to Do If You Find an Error

If you notice anything wrong, even something small, don’t ignore it.
Errors can hurt your credit score and lead to higher interest rates, loan denials, or lost housing and job opportunities.

Start by:

  • Gathering proof (statements, letters, screenshots)

  • Sending a written dispute to the credit bureaus.

  • Keeping copies of everything you send

You can file disputes online, but mailing a written dispute gives you more legal protection.

Final Thoughts

Getting and reading your credit report might seem intimidating at first, but it’s one of the easiest and most important steps you can take to protect your financial future.

You have a right to a clear and accurate report, and understanding what’s on it puts you in control.

FREE CREDIT REPORT ERROR RESOURCES


Common Credit Reporting Mistakes And How to Spot and Fix Them

Credit reports are supposed to tell the story of how you manage debt, but sometimes, that story gets the facts wrong. In fact, a recent study indicates that nearly 80% of credit reports have a mistake on them. Credit report errors can hurt your credit score, cost you money, and even affect your ability to rent an apartment or get a job.

Imagine being denied a mortgage refinance because of a late payment on your credit report that wasn’t actually late. This is exactly what happened to a former client from St. Paul, let’s call him Dave. Dave’s credit report showed a late payment to his cell phone provider. This report was dead wrong. Dave had the deposited check proving that the cell phone company got his payment on time. But this inaccurate late payment kept Dave from refinancing his mortgage.

Or imagine being denied credit because your credit report doesn’t have your married name on it. This is what happened to Jenny, another former client from Eagan, Minnesota. Jenny changed her last name when she got married. But her credit reports showed her old name and didn’t include her new, married name. This led to repeated credit denials for loans she should have easily qualified for.

As these examples show, even a single mistake on your credit reports can result in credit denials or higher interest rates.

At this point, you might be asking yourself “how can I avoid being like Dave or Jenny?” The answer is simple: check your credit reports at least a couple times a year and fix any mistakes immediately.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common credit reporting errors, how to recognize them, and what to do if you find one.

Incorrect Personal Information

It might seem minor, but even a misspelled name or wrong address can cause mix-ups, especially if you share a name with someone else.

Common issues include:

  • Wrong address

  • Incorrect date of birth

  • Misspelled names or name mix-ups

  • Wrong Social Security number (even one digit off)

Why it matters: Errors in personal info can lead to someone else's accounts showing up on your report or can be signs of identity theft or fraud.

What to do: If you notice incorrect personal info, file a dispute (sample letter and instructions below) with each credit bureau showing the error. Be sure to provide documents like a copy of your ID, Social Security card, or utility bill showing the correct information.

Accounts That Don’t Belong to You

Sometimes, accounts from someone else — like a family member or a complete stranger — end up on your report.

This could be due to:

  • Identity theft

  • Mixed files (your information getting confused with another person’s)

  • Credit reporting errors from lenders, such as Blaze Credit Union or Associated Bank.

Why it matters: Accounts that don’t belong to you could be a sign of a serious problem, like identity theft or a mixed credit file. They can also lead lenders to believe you have more debt than you really do, which can lead to credit denials or higher interest rates.

What to do: Review the account details carefully to make absolutely sure it isn’t yours. If you’re sure, dispute it right away with each credit bureau showing the error. You may also consider requesting that a fraud alert be placed on your credit file.

Incorrect Payment History

Another frequent credit report mistake is when your payment history is reported incorrectly.

Common problems:

  • Payments marked “late” when you paid on time

  • Missed payments that were actually made

  • Accounts showing the wrong status (e.g., “delinquent” or “in collections” when they’re not)

Why it matters: Your payment history has a significant impact on your credit score so when it’s wrong, it’s a big deal.

What to do: Gather proof, like payment confirmations or bank statements, and submit it when disputing the error with the credit bureaus. You may also contact the lender directly and ask them to correct the reporting.

Outdated or Duplicate Information

Sometimes, old or closed accounts stay on your report longer than they should.

Examples include:

  • Accounts that should’ve been removed (e.g., after 7 years)

  • Closed accounts still marked “open”

  • The same debt listed more than once (especially with collections)

Why it matters: Closed accounts reported as open or the same debt listed twice can make it appear that you are carrying more debt than you really are. This may have an impact on your ability to get credit in the future.

What to do: Check the age of the accounts. If an account has been delinquent for more than 7 years, it should be removed from your report. If it's still there, you can dispute it. For duplicates, include screenshots or printed reports to highlight repeated entries along with your dispute letter.

Reinserted or Re-Appearing Errors

Sometimes, an error you’ve already disputed and fixed comes back. This is called reinserted information and it’s a red flag.

Under the law, credit bureaus have to notify you if they reinsert a disputed item, but that doesn’t always happen.

Why it matters: Reinserted debts are a serious problem. After all, you’ve already disputed the mistake once and the credit bureau has agreed it was wrong. But now they’ve put the mistake back on your report, dragging down your score.

What to do: If a corrected error comes back, dispute it again and request the reinsertion notice. If they fail to notify you or continue reporting inaccurate information, you may have grounds for a legal claim.

Final Thoughts

Credit report mistakes are more common than most people realize but they’re not something you have to live with.

Start by getting your free report at AnnualCreditReport.com. It’s the only federally authorized source and lets you check your reports from all three major bureaus for free.

Already found a mistake? File a dispute as soon as possible, and be sure to keep copies of all documentation. If the credit bureau or creditor doesn’t correct the error, you may have legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

FREE CREDIT REPORT ERROR RESOURCES