- An account that isn’t yours, sometimes from identity theft or a mixed file.
- A late payment reported when you paid on time.
- An account shown as open when it’s closed, or vice versa.
- The wrong balance or credit limit.
- A collection or public record that should have aged off (most negative items drop after seven years).
- Duplicate accounts, or the same debt listed twice under different collectors.
Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports
Pull your reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com, since an error on one bureau’s report doesn’t always appear on the others. Read through each account and section carefully.
Step 2: Gather Documentation
Collect anything that supports your case: payment confirmations, account statements, correspondence with the creditor, or a police report if the issue involves identity theft.
Step 3: File a Dispute With the Credit Bureau
Each bureau lets you dispute online, by mail, or by phone, though online is usually fastest to file and track:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Clearly identify the account, explain what’s wrong, and attach your supporting documents. Keep a copy of everything you submit.
Step 4: File a Dispute With the Furnisher
Separately, contact the company that reported the information — the lender, collector, or card issuer — and ask them to correct it. Under federal law, furnishers also have an obligation to investigate disputes sent directly to them.
Step 5: Wait for the Investigation
Bureaus generally have 30 days (sometimes 45) to investigate and respond. They’ll contact the furnisher, who has to verify the information is accurate. If it can’t be verified, it must be removed or corrected.
Step 6: Review the Results
You’ll receive a written outcome and a free updated report if changes were made. If the error persists after the bureau says it verified the information, you can:
- Ask for the method of verification.
- Add a statement of dispute to your file, explaining your side.
- File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
- Consider contacting a consumer law attorney if the error is causing real financial harm.
How Long Does a Dispute Take?
Most investigations conclude within 30 days of the bureau receiving your dispute, though it can take longer if you submit additional information during the process.
Does Disputing Hurt Your Credit Score?
No. Filing a dispute itself has no effect on your score. If the dispute results in an error being corrected or removed, your score may improve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is disputing a credit report error free?
Yes. Disputing directly with the bureaus and furnishers costs nothing. Be cautious of paid “credit repair” services that charge for something you can do yourself for free.
What if the bureau says the information is accurate but I disagree?
You can add a personal statement to your file and consider escalating with a CFPB complaint or seeking legal advice, especially if the error is significant.
Can I dispute by phone instead of online?
Yes, all three bureaus accept disputes by mail and often by phone, though online disputes are usually easiest to document and track.
How often can I dispute an error?
There’s no limit on how many times you can dispute genuine errors, but repeatedly disputing accurate information can slow down the process without changing the outcome.
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