Question 1

What is Metro 2?

Accepted Answer

Metro 2 is the industry-standard format that furnishers use to report account information to the credit bureaus. It defines the fields, codes, and formats used on every tradeline.

Question 2

What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?

Accepted Answer

The FCRA is the federal law that regulates how consumer credit information is collected, used, and shared. It gives you the right to review and dispute the information in your file.

Question 3

What is a furnisher?

Accepted Answer

A furnisher is any entity — a bank, lender, or collection agency — that supplies information about you to a credit reporting agency.

Question 4

What is a tradeline?

Accepted Answer

A tradeline is any account listed on your credit report, including credit cards, loans, mortgages, and collections.

Question 5

What is the Date of First Delinquency (DOFD)?

Accepted Answer

The Date of First Delinquency is the first missed payment that started a continuous period of delinquency. It anchors the reporting window for negative information.

Question 6

What happens after I mail a dispute?

Accepted Answer

The bureau generally has 30 days to investigate and respond. You should receive written results and, if changes are made, an updated copy of your report.

Question 7

What documents should I keep?

Accepted Answer

Keep a copy of every letter you send, every response you receive, and the certified mail receipts and tracking numbers associated with your mailings.

Frequently Asked Questions