 TITLE: How to Get Your Credit Ready to Buy a Car CONTENT: 5\\. Dispute Inaccuracies on Your Credit Report\n----------------------------------------------\nIf you find something you believe to be inaccurate on your credit report, you can dispute it. Disputing an item on your credit report won't hurt your credit and could help it if a mistake that lowered your credit score is removed. For example, if a payment you made on time is reported by the lender as late, it can negatively impact your credit score.\nContact the credit reporting bureau that reported the error to file a dispute by phone, mail or online. The credit bureau will investigate with the creditor to verify the information. If the information can't be verified, it will be updated or deleted. If it's wrong, it will be corrected; if it's verified, it stays on your credit report.\nKeep in mind, however, that you can't have information removed from your credit report simply because it's negative. If your creditor verifies a disputed item is correct, it will remain on your credit reports and continue to be factored into credit scores. END