As credit report errors climb, advocates urge consumers to conduct "credit checkups"

As complaints of errors on credit reports surge, two consumer advocacy groups have teamed up to encourage Americans to conduct regular "credit checkups" by accessing their free credit reports as often as once a week. 

Complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) related to credit report errors have more than doubled since 2021, according to a new Consumer Reports analysis. Last year, consumers submitted nearly 645,000 such complaints, compared to roughly 308,000 in 2021. 

Such mistakes can hurt an individual's ability to lead a financially healthy life, given that one's credit report can affect one's access to housing and job opportunities.