If you’ve ever looked at your credit report and thought, “This doesn’t look right,” you’re not alone.
Many credit report errors happen because creditors and debt collectors fail to follow something called Metro 2 reporting standards — the industry rules for how information is supposed to be reported to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
You don’t need to understand all the technical rules to protect yourself. But knowing what to look for can help you catch mistakes that may be hurting your credit score.
Here’s how to spot common problems.
First: What Is Metro 2?
Metro 2 is the system lenders and debt collectors use to report information about your accounts to the credit bureaus.
It controls things like:
- Whether your account is listed as current or late
- When a delinquency started
- Whether a debt was charged off
- Whether an account is in dispute
- How bankruptcy accounts are reported
When companies don’t follow these reporting rules properly, your credit report can become inaccurate or misleading.
7 Common Credit Report Errors to Watch For
1. An Old Debt That Won’t Fall Off
Most negative accounts can only stay on your credit report for 7 years from when you first fell behind.
Watch for:
- A debt that appears older than 7 years
- A “new” delinquency date on an old account
- An account that looks like it restarted the clock
Sometimes creditors incorrectly “re-age” a debt, making it look newer than it really is. That can unfairly damage your credit for longer than the law allows.
2. A Charge-Off That Still Shows You Owe Monthly Payments
If an account is marked as “charged off,” it means the lender has written it off as a loss.
Red flag:
- It says “charged off”
- But also shows you are still making (or missing) monthly payments
- Or shows a growing past-due amount every month
That can create the false impression that you are continuously missing new payments — even when you’re not.
3. A Debt That Doesn’t Say “Disputed”
If you disputed an account with the credit bureaus, your credit report should show that the account is “in dispute.”
Red flag:
- You filed a dispute
- But the report does not mention it
When a dispute is missing, lenders reviewing your report may assume the information is accurate and uncontested — which can hurt you.
4. Bankruptcy Reporting Mistakes
After a bankruptcy discharge, accounts included in the bankruptcy should:
- Show a $0 balance (if discharged)
- Not show new late payments
- Not show ongoing collection activity
Red flags:
- A balance still appears after discharge
- The account still shows as “past due”
- Late payments continue after your bankruptcy
This is one of the most common and serious reporting errors.
5. The Original Creditor Still Shows a Balance After Selling the Debt
When a lender sells your debt to a collection agency, the original lender should usually report a zero balance.
Red flag:
- Both the original creditor and the debt collector show active balances
That can make it look like you owe twice as much as you really do.
6. Payment History Doesn’t Match the Account Status
Look at the monthly payment history grid.
Watch for:
- The account says “Current” but shows late payments
- It says “120 days late” but the payment grid doesn’t match
- Missing months or strange patterns
Inconsistencies can signal improper reporting.
7. A Collection Account That Looks Brand New
Sometimes old debts suddenly appear as “new” collection accounts years later.
Red flag:
- The account was opened recently
- But the debt itself is much older
This can unfairly lower your score by making old debt appear new.
Why This Matters
Even small reporting errors can:
- Lower your credit score
- Increase your interest rates
- Cause loan denials
- Affect housing or job applications
And under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to accurate reporting.
If a company fails to correct inaccurate information after you dispute it, they may be legally responsible.
What You Should Do If You Spot an Error
- Get all three credit reports (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
- Highlight anything that doesn’t look right.
- Submit a written dispute to the credit bureau.
- Keep copies of everything.
If the problem isn’t corrected, you may want to speak with a consumer protection attorney.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be an expert in Metro 2 reporting rules to protect your credit. Many serious reporting mistakes are visible right on the credit report — if you know what to look for.
If you believe your credit report contains inaccurate or misleading information, don’t ignore it. Errors can cost you money and opportunities.
If you’d like your report reviewed or have questions about your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, contact Ginsburg Law Group. We help consumers fix credit reporting errors and hold companies accountable when they fail to follow the law.
