We received a note from one of our readers asking:

I have this one blemish that I have been unable to resolve. For over 3 years straight, I have paid my debts and and creditors on time as well as fixed any errors and discrepancies on my credit history. But, there is one blemish that i cannot resolve. It is a single “unpaid” debt on one of my three credit history files, while the other do have correctly reported this debt paid. The lender also has noted in communications with me that the debt is paid. However, the credit bureau in question refuses to update my credit history, and keep insisting that my credit history is up to date. What can I do in this instance besides adding a statement with my unresolved credit history? I am worried that this one blemish could tarnish my chances of getting approved for loans or getting favorable terms especially in this unfriendly credit climate.

Thank you, Doris

Well, Doris, we are very sorry to hear about your problems. This is definitely a problem with the current credit history system with three credit history agencies. We are sorry to continue to tell you that this is fully your responsibility as the consumer — to figure out the problems and correct it. It seems that if the credit history agency in question has already received your notice of dispute and error and has fully investigated and concluded that the credit history history is up to date, then the problem must be between the lender/creditor and this credit bureau.

As the next step, we urge you to contact that lender/creditor directly, and request a notarized and official statement that your debt was in fact paid on time. Get these statement into your hands, since you obviously cannot trust that lender to report this information to the specific credit history agency directly and correctly. Once you have this information, file another dispute of the error and discrepancy on your credit history, making sure to include the new documentation and proof and sending a copy of this (and keep the original).

This should resolve the error in your credit history. And, yes, if this credit history agency will not fix that error, the foremost thing you should do is include a statement of dispute and a copy of that proof and request that it be included with any copy of your credit history history and score requested from that bureau. And also seek out other avenues such as a lawyer or business bureau to help you if you really cannot make any headway in this case.

We would like you remind you that you should always can your credit history regularly to make sure that there are no errors or discrepancies and any such matters should be disputed and resolved as soon as possible. A good option is to get a credit monitoring service which will alert you of any changes and allow you access to your credit history and score.