How do I dispute an error on my checking account consumer report?
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To dispute inaccurate information on your checking account consumer report, you should file a dispute with the checking account reporting company that compiled the report.
You should also file a dispute with the bank, credit union, or company that provided the information to the checking account reporting company.
Checking account reporting companies must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This means they must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information they provide to the banks, and they can’t include most negative information that’s more than seven years old
All checking account reporting companies must reasonably investigate consumers’ disputes of inaccurate information on their reports and correct any inaccurate or incomplete information. Banks and credit unions that report information to checking account reporting companies also have an obligation to investigate and correct disputed information found in their investigation.
Nationwide checking account reporting companies must provide consumers with one free annual report per year, upon request. You have to request the reports individually from each reporting company. View a list of checking account reporting companies, along with information about how you can obtain copies of your reports.
You also have the right to request a free report if you have received an adverse action notice. For example, if a bank turns you down for a checking account based on a checking account report, the bank must provide you with an adverse action notice that includes the name and contact information of the checking account reporting agency from which the bank got the report. You can contact the reporting company and request a free copy of the report.
How to dispute information in your checking account consumer report
1. File a dispute with the checking account reporting company that compiled the report.
Use the company’s contact information provided on the report or on their website. If you received an adverse action notice, use the contact information provided on the notice. If you don’t have that information, our list of consumer reporting companies includes contact information for the two largest checking account reporting companies, Chex Systems, Inc. and Early Warning Services, LLC.
2. Next, file a dispute with the bank or credit union that provided the information to the checking account reporting company.
You should be able to find this information on your report.
View sample letter to dispute inaccurate information
Hint: If you find inaccurate information on your report, you may also want to check your other consumer reports especially if it appears that the inaccurate information is the result of identity theft.
3. Have your Social Security card and other identifying information ready.
If you’re a victim of identity theft, the company may require you to provide a copy of your Social Security card with your dispute. It may also be helpful to report the identity theft with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
If the investigation does not resolve the dispute to your satisfaction, you also have the right to send a brief statement explaining why you think the record is inaccurate to the checking account reporting company to keep in your file. The reporting company must include your statement about disputed information in a report it issues about you.
Submit a complaint
If you have a problem with credit reporting, you can submit a complaint online. We'll forward your complaint to the company and work to get you a response.