Your three credit reports from consumer reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are not identical triplets.
The old debt in question might be listed in some credit reports but not others. To find out, get a copy of all three of your reports, says Magnuson. Federal law entitles you to request a free copy of each report once every 12 months. You can download or send for them free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Once you find out which bureaus are listing the debt, contact them. Your credit report will include contact information and dispute instructions.