Quick Checklist — Credit

Credit Report Action Checklist

Work through each step when reviewing your credit reports. Pull all three bureaus first.

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Guides › Full Guide › Quick Checklist
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Step 1
Get Your Reports
  • Go to AnnualCreditReport.comThe only official free source — free weekly access
  • Download Equifax report
  • Download Experian report
  • Download TransUnion report
  • Check current credit score (Credit Karma, bank app, or card issuer)
Step 2 — Check Each Section of All Three Reports
Review Each Report Section
Personal Info
Name spelled correctly
SSN correct (last 4)
No unfamiliar addresses
No unfamiliar employers
Accounts
All accounts recognized
Balances appear accurate
No incorrect late payments
Closed accounts marked closed
Collections
All collections recognized
Amounts appear correct
Nothing past 7-year limit
Inquiries
All hard inquiries recognized
No unfamiliar applications
Soft inquiries labeled correctly
Step 3
Your FICO Score Factors
35%
Payment history
30%
Amounts owed (utilization)
15%
Length of credit history
10%
New credit (inquiries)
10%
Credit mix
Step 4
Flag Errors to Dispute
  • Account that isn't mine (possible fraud)
  • Incorrect late payment — I paid on time
  • Wrong balance or credit limit
  • Duplicate account listed twice
  • Closed account shown as open
  • Collection older than 7 years still listed
  • Bankruptcy older than 10 years still listed
  • Wrong personal information (name, SSN, address)
Step 5
Dispute Process
BureauDispute Online At
Equifaxequifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute
Experianexperian.com/disputes/main.html
TransUniontransunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-credit
  • Dispute directly with the bureau that shows the errorBureaus have 30 days to investigate and respond
  • Gather supporting documents (statements, payment records)
  • Dispute the same error at all three bureaus if it appears on multiple reports
  • Note dispute date and follow up if no response in 35 days
  • Confirm error was removed — re-pull report after resolution
Ongoing Protection
After the Review
  • Set up free credit monitoring (Credit Karma, Experian free tier)
  • Consider placing a credit freeze if you're not actively applying for creditFree at all three bureaus — unfreeze when you need to apply
  • Set calendar reminder to re-pull all three reports in 12 months
  • Enable fraud alerts for any suspicious activity found
TVACU Financial Wellness • tvacu.com • Educational use only, not financial advice.
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