HOW TO READ A CREDIT REPORT AND SPOT ERRORS – Consumer Guide from California Credit Dispute Attorneys At R23 Law
In a city like Los Angeles, where a good credit score can significantly impact your ability to rent an apartment, buy a car, or even secure a job, mistakes on your credit report can have serious consequences. At R23 Law, we encourage everyone to check their credit reports at least once a year. If you’re not sure how, we’ve created a free video tutorial to guide you through the process.
🔒 IMPORTANT: Each time you check your report, save a PDF copy immediately.
How Can You Spot Errors in a Credit Report?
Here are three areas to check, with real-world examples:
1. Personal Information Errors
Even small mistakes in this section can cause your file to be mixed up with someone else’s.
Check for:
Misspelled names or name variations (e.g., “Lina Chen” vs. “Li Na Chen” or “Linda Chan”)
Wrong address (e.g., showing a past roommate’s address or one you never lived at)
Incorrect Social Security number digits
Wrong date of birth
Example: A client named Wei Zhang found two collection accounts under his name. It turns out they belonged to another Wei Zhang, who lived in Texas. The credit bureau mixed their files due to similar names and birth years.
2. Account Errors
This section lists your credit cards, loans, and payment history, and it’s often where the most damaging mistakes occur.
Check for:
Accounts you don’t recognize
Incorrect balances or credit limits
False late payments or collections
Wrong account status (e.g., showing as open when closed)
Example: Amy Liu spotted a “Chase Visa” with a $9,200 balance — but she never opened that card. Her identity had been stolen to open it.
3. Inquiry and Public Record Issues
This section shows who has pulled your credit and whether there are public records, such as bankruptcies or liens.
Check for:
Hard inquiries you didn’t authorize
Outdated bankruptcies (7–10 year limit)
Incorrect public records
Example: Jason Wu saw a car loan inquiry from Riverside, but he never visited the dealership. It was the first sign of identity theft.
What If You Spot a Mistake?
If you find an error:
Save a PDF copy of the report immediately (this version is your best evidence).
Prepare a dispute with documentation.
Don’t delay — errors can take weeks to fix and can cost you in the meantime.
How R23 Law Helps Fix Credit Report Errors
R23 Law’s Consumer Protection Attorneys help clients:
Understand and track their reports
Draft powerful, evidence-backed disputes
Sue when credit bureaus or creditors don’t correct errors
We know what to look for — and we only get paid if we win.
Contact R23 Law
📞 Phone: (310) 598-1588 or (415) 558-0227
📧 Email: info@R23Law.com
🌐 Website: www.R23Law.com
🎥 Watch our free tutorial: How to Get Your Free Credit Report
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