Plain-English checklists and note templates for U.S. consumers who want to review their own credit reports for possible errors before deciding what to do next. This repository is for education and organization — it does not file disputes for you, and it is not legal or financial advice.
You pulled a copy of your credit report (from AnnualCreditReport.com or another legitimate source) and want a structured way to:
- Walk through each section without skipping details
- Separate harmless quirks from items worth documenting
- Decide whether something might be a simple mistake, a mixed file, or identity theft
- Prepare notes if you choose to dispute an inaccuracy
| Path | Purpose |
|---|---|
checklists/credit-report-error-review-checklist.md |
Section-by-section review checklist you can print or copy |
templates/error-notes-log.md |
Blank log for each item you flag |
docs/common-error-types.md |
Categories of mistakes that appear on real reports |
docs/how-to-review-a-report-section-by-section.md |
How to read each major section in order |
docs/when-an-error-may-be-identity-theft.md |
When to treat findings as more than a typo |
data/error-types.json |
Machine-readable error categories |
data/link-map.json |
Curated Credit Plainly and official links |
- Get your reports from an official free source (see AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Read
docs/how-to-review-a-report-section-by-section.mdonce if you are new to report layout. - Work through the review checklist for each bureau copy you have.
- Log anything that does not match your records in the error notes template.
- Compare patterns using
docs/when-an-error-may-be-identity-theft.mdif you see unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. - Learn about disputes from government resources (below) and, if helpful, the Credit Plainly dispute guide linked in the next section.
These articles expand on topics in this kit. Each link goes to a specific guide on Credit Plainly:
- Common credit report errors — real-world examples and how to evaluate them
- How to read a credit report — section-by-section tour
- Wrong address on a credit report — old vs unfamiliar addresses
- Identity theft signs on a credit report — warning patterns
- How to dispute credit report errors — process overview (outcomes vary)
- Credit report error checklist (site resource) — companion to this repo
- CFPB — Disputing errors on credit reports
- FTC — Disputing errors on your credit reports
- AnnualCreditReport.com — authorized free annual reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
- No guarantees: Disputes and corrections take time; bureaus and furnishers investigate — results depend on the facts and records.
- Not every surprise is an error: Old addresses, closed accounts, and rate-shopping inquiries can look odd but be accurate.
- Not legal advice: For complex situations (bankruptcy errors, judgments, ongoing fraud), consider speaking with a qualified professional or using IdentityTheft.gov if identity theft is involved.
MIT — see LICENSE. Educational content is not legal or financial advice.
This kit is maintained by Credit Plainly, an independent educational site about U.S. credit reports and scores. Suggestions and corrections are welcome via GitHub issues.