INDIANAPOLIS (WOWO): A consumer watchdog is calling a national settlement with the three major credit bureaus a victory for consumers. 

Indiana is among 31 states that have reached a settlement with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. 

The deal changes the way the credit bureaus handle disputes involving credit report information and improves the accuracy of information that enters credit reports. 

Credit.com Director of Consumer Education Gerri Detweiler says the settlement targets identity theft and mixed files that often take months or years to clear up. She says changes include: consumers no longer need an identification number to file a dispute, a free credit report is issued after changes are made following a dispute, delinquent medical bills can‘t be reported for six months, library fines, parking and toll tickets will no longer be on credit reports and debt collection accounts must include initial creditor‘s name. 

Detweiler says changes will be implemented over the next 18 months.