Credit Repair: How to do an online dispute the RIGHT way to fix errors on your credit reports
Credit Repair: How to do an online dispute the RIGHT way to fix errors on your credit reports
The Online Dispute Process
The online dispute process might seem like the easiest type of dispute to handle. However, it can be more difficult than expected. Despite this, results are usually obtained a lot quicker when disputes are done online. This is due to a system called e-Oscar, a communication network between credit bureaus and furnishers such as Capital One.
When you send a letter to a credit bureau like Equifax, it gets delivered, opened, and then scanned. Unless you’re a high-profile individual, your dispute is likely sent overseas to be processed. This process takes time. However, when you dispute online, your dispute goes directly into e-Oscar and straight to the furnisher, speeding up the process.
The Challenges of Online Disputes
Despite its speed, online disputes come with their own set of challenges. Credit bureaus often make it difficult to dispute properly. They typically want you to go online, set up an account, and then select the account you want to dispute. They then ask why you want to dispute it and provide a few reasons for you to select. This is all they want you to do, and then click submit.
They also provide a small section for you to type in, usually around 150 characters, and an option to upload documents. However, the system often crashes, and there are size limitations for the documents. Therefore, it’s important to have your PDFs ready. One PDF could be a written dispute where you explain in detail what’s wrong. You’re not limited to just checking a box or writing a small description. You can say, “see attached document,” and then upload a one or two-page PDF, however long you need.
Preparing for an Online Dispute
Before you start an online dispute, it’s crucial to be organized. Have a file for each credit bureau you’re disputing with, such as an Equifax folder, an Experian folder, and a TransUnion folder. Have your PDFs labeled and ready to upload. Make sure that the credit bureau confirms that you’ve successfully uploaded your documents. Then, click submit or finalize, and ensure you receive a confirmation that your dispute has been accepted.
Proving Your Dispute
One of the major challenges with online disputes is proving that you submitted a dispute and provided the necessary documents. Credit bureaus and furnishers may deny receiving your dispute or documents. To counter this, Watson recommends recording your screen as you go through the dispute process.
You can use tools like Loom or a Google Chrome extension to record your screen. However, the easiest way is to use a video conferencing tool like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. Start a video session, share your screen, and record your screen as you log into the credit bureau’s website, select the account to dispute, type in your dispute, and upload your documents. This recording will serve as proof of your dispute, making it hard for credit bureaus to deny your claims.
Recording Your Dispute Process
When recording your dispute process, it’s important to capture every detail from start to finish. This includes logging into the credit bureau’s website, selecting the account to dispute, typing in your dispute, and uploading your documents.
To do this, start a video session on a platform like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. Share your screen and ensure that your dispute process is being recorded. It’s recommended to turn off the microphone to avoid recording unnecessary audio. You may choose to have the video on to prove that it’s you doing the dispute.
As you go through the dispute process, everything you do is recorded on your screen. This includes clicking on the account you want to dispute, typing in your reason for the dispute, and uploading your documents. When the credit bureau confirms that your documents have been successfully uploaded and your dispute has been accepted, all these are captured in your recording.
The Importance of Continuous Recording
Continuous recording is crucial in the dispute process. You don’t want the credit bureau to claim that there was a gap in your recording where you could have withdrawn your attachments. To avoid this, record the whole screen from the moment you log in to the moment you log out of the credit bureau’s account.
For instance, in Alabama, there are legal hours of foreclosure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you were to watch the auction and leave for lunch, the auctioneer could show up and do the auction while you’re gone. The same principle applies to credit reporting. You want your screen to be recorded from the moment you log in to the moment you log out of the credit bureau’s account, so there’s no argument they can make about gaps in your recording.
Saving Your Recording
Once you’ve recorded your dispute process, it’s important to save your recording in a secure place. If the recording is saved only on your computer, ensure that you upload it to a cloud storage service like Dropbox, Evernote, or Google Drive. This is to prevent the loss of your proof in case your computer crashes.
Conclusion
Disputing credit report errors online can be a quick and effective method if done correctly. By being organized, recording your dispute process, and saving your recording, you can provide solid proof of your dispute and the documents you provided. This makes it hard for credit bureaus to deny your claims, increasing your chances of a successful dispute. Remember, the key to a successful online dispute is preparation, organization, and proof.
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