A few years ago when Cheryl Lake applied for a mortgage at a New Jersey bank, her credit report showed an unpaid tax lien. Although she had paid it off seven years before, her loan was put on hold until she provided proof of payment. Could this happen to you? Yes, because the three major credit reporting agencies (CRAs)--Equifax, (800) 685-1111; Experian, (888) 397-3742; and TransUnion, (800) 916-8800--don't always get it right. So if you haven't checked your credit report lately, do it soon. Because an error can affect whether you'll get a credit card, apartment, mortgage, insurance and even employment, it's in your best interest to make sure your report is accurate. If you discover that you've been denied a credit card or an apartment because of inaccuracies, take these steps to fix the problem:

[check] Get a copy of your report from the CRA that provided the erroneous information. If you request it within 60 days of the denial, the credit bureau must provide the report free of charge. (Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act [FCRA], the company that rejected your application must give you the credit bureau's name and contact information. Federal law now requires that, at your request, each CRA must provide you with a free copy of your credit report annually.)

[check] Write to the CRA, explain why information is wrong and request that it be deleted or corrected. Circle the item(s) in dispute on your report and enclose a copy with your correspondence, along with a copy of any documentation supporting your claim, such as legal papers or canceled checks, and send them by certified mail, return receipt requested. (According to Federal Trade Commission [FTC] rules, if the creditor cannot verify disputed information, it must be deleted from your credit report.) For more information, contact the FTC at (877) FTC-HELP; or visit ftc.gov.--L.S.

10 million Americans are victimized each year by ID theft.

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