When you receive your credit report, it is important to scrutinize it carefully to check if there are any discrepancies in the information stated. This is very important, as a lot of the services you will need may be looking at your credit standing, and your credit report - any erroneous entry may lead to you not being able to get the services you need. Keep in mind that errors in credit reports are not that unusual - you have to always be alert and keep track of you're the information stated in your credit report to make sure that it stays error-free.

• Step 1: Make sure that you constantly keep track of your credit report. You can ask for a copy of your credit report at least once a year from the three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). Take the time to carefully go through the credit report, and read everything more than once to make sure you leave no stone unturned, so to speak.
• Step 2: When you do find an error, make sure that you take note of it, so you don't forget about it. You can highlight the wrong entry, or write the information on a piece of paper so you'll know exactly what part of the report needs to be corrected.
• Step 3: Check which creditor the mistake originated from; when you do this, make sure that you are armed with the necessary paperwork, so everything is properly documented. It is best to send the papers by certified mail with a request for a return receipt, so you will know that your mail has been successfully sent to the people involved.
• Step 4: Get in touch with the reporting agency that sent you the report with the erroneous entry. Do this again through certified mail, again with a request for a return receipt.
• Step 5: if the credit bureau does not agree with the removal of the items you disputed, ask for the contact details of the creditor who was the originator of the report instead. If a second investigation is needed, start from scratch and work your way up again.
• Step 6: If you are successful in having the wrong entry taken out of your credit report, make sure that every person or organization that received a copy of your credit report in the last six months receives a new, corrected copy.
• Step 7: Do not hesitate to seek legal assistance if you think the erroneous entry is serious enough.

Making sure that every item in your credit report is correct is your responsibility, and you should make it a habit to check your credit report religiously. This is the only way you can protect yourself from erroneous entries, which can hinder you from getting the services you need in the future.