Everyone knows how important a credit report is to one's overall financial picture, however unfortunately some of the agencies that maintain these reports are often less than 100 percent accurate. Thousands of Americans may have mistakes on their credit reports that they are not aware of and sadly it could cause many problems from loan denial to not getting a job.

Your best bet for getting started in finding and resolving any problems is to review your credit report at least once a year.  You are entitled to one free federally guaranteed credit report per year; you may click this link to get yours online at AnnualCreditReport.com. Once you have your credit report, review it carefully and look for any mistakes. If you do see something that needs to be resolved you have a few options in getting things cleared up.

1. You can attempt to correct and dispute any errors yourself. Contact the credit reporting agency that reported the error and send a letter of dispute. They are required by law to notify other agencies and investigate the error. It is recommended you send this letter via certified mail so you have a record that you sent the letter.

2. Another option is to hire a credit repair agency but do your research first, as there are scams out there. Be sure to ask the agency to provide you a written contract and a 3 day waiting period in case you change your mind. The Credit Repair Organization Act requires agencies to do this as well as provide you with a statement of your rights.

3. Something else to consider is hiring an attorney, they will there for you throughout the entire process and can help fix the problem when sending just a letter does not work. Obtaining a lawyer is a good idea if you find your self encountering legal loopholes or if you are considering a lawsuit. 

Reviewing your credit report as well as your credit score is key, be sure to do this preferably on a regular basis and at least once a year. It is important to make sure all the information is correct so when you do need to have a credit check, it will be accurate. Good credit is valuable and taking a few moments to double check everything will be worthwhile,