How do I dispute a debt collection on my credit report?

If you find yourself in a situation where a debt collection on your credit report needs to be disputed, the first thing you should do is contact the creditor that originated the debt. Tell them your concerns and provide any necessary documents to support your claim. If the creditor refuses to remove the item, you may want to reach out to a debt collection law firm. California has its own Consumer Debt Defense Law which will help protect individuals from abusive debt collectors. If a collection agency is found to be in violation of the law, they may be required to pay damages to the consumer. If no resolution can be made with the collection agency, the next step is to contact the credit bureau who reported the debt. You will need to submit a dispute letter along with an explanation of why the debt should not appear on your report. Make sure to include any documents that you feel support your claim. Once all of the necessary documents have been submitted, the credit bureau will investigate the dispute and will usually notify you of their decision within 30 days. If successful, the debt collection should be removed from your credit report. You should also review your free credit report to make sure the collection is no longer present. If your dispute is rejected, you may want to reach out to a consumer attorney. They may be able to help you challenge the debt or give advice on what other steps to take.

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How do I dispute a debt collection on my credit report?

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