Credit report errors are more common than most consumers realize, and they can have serious consequences for your financial life. Incorrect information on your credit report can lower your credit score, result in higher interest rates on loans, lead to denied credit applications, and even affect your ability to rent an apartment or get a job. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a substantial minority of consumers have errors on their credit reports with the three nationwide credit reporting agencies—including errors significant enough to meaningfully affect their credit scores. In fact, credit reporting became the number one complaint category submitted to the CFPB, with complaints increasing by 129% in 2020 alone. The good news is that federal law gives you the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report at no cost. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify errors, file disputes with each credit bureau, and take action if your dispute is denied.
Why Credit Report Errors Matter
Your credit report is a detailed record of your credit history that lenders, landlords, employers, and insurance companies use to evaluate your financial reliability. When errors appear on your credit report, they can create a ripple effect across multiple areas of your life.
Understanding the basics of how credit scores work is essential because even small errors can have an outsized impact on your score. Credit scores are calculated using complex algorithms that weigh factors like payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix. An incorrectly reported late payment or an account that doesn't belong to you can drag down your score significantly.
The Real-World Impact of Credit Report Errors
Credit report errors can affect more than just loan approvals. A lower credit score caused by errors can result in higher insurance premiums, larger security deposits for utilities and cell phones, difficulty renting an apartment, and even disqualification from certain jobs—particularly in financial services or government positions that require security clearances.
The CFPB's research shows that incorrect information on credit reports is the most common complaint submitted to their agency. This underscores just how widespread the problem is and why regularly reviewing your credit reports is so important.
Types of Credit Report Errors You Can Dispute
Credit report errors come in many forms. Understanding the different types will help you identify what's worth disputing and gather the appropriate documentation.
Personal Information Errors
These include mistakes in your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, or phone number. While personal information errors may not directly affect your credit score, they can indicate mixed files (where another person's information has been merged with yours) or potential identity theft.
Account Status Errors
These are among the most damaging errors because they directly affect your credit score. Common examples include:
- Accounts incorrectly marked as late or delinquent when you paid on time
- Wrong current balance or credit limit reported
- Incorrect account open or close dates
- Paid-off accounts still showing a balance
- Accounts incorrectly listed as in collections
Accounts That Aren't Yours
Sometimes accounts appear on your credit report that you never opened. This can happen due to:
- Identity theft (someone opened accounts in your name)
- Mixed files (another person's account was added to your report by mistake)
- Clerical errors by creditors
Outdated Information
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets time limits on how long negative information can remain on your credit report. Most negative information should be removed after seven years, while bankruptcies can remain for seven to ten years depending on the type. If outdated negative information is still appearing, you have grounds to dispute it.
Duplicate Accounts
Sometimes the same account appears multiple times on your credit report, which can artificially inflate your debt levels and negatively impact your credit utilization ratio. Learn more about how credit utilization affects your score.
| Error Type | Examples | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Information | Wrong name spelling, incorrect SSN, outdated address | May indicate mixed files or identity theft |
| Account Status | Incorrect payment history, wrong balance, account incorrectly in collections | Direct negative impact on credit score |
| Fraudulent Accounts | Accounts opened through identity theft | Severe damage to credit score |
| Outdated Information | Negative items older than 7 years | Unnecessarily lowering your score |
| Duplicate Accounts | Same debt listed twice | Inflated debt-to-credit ratio |
How to Get Your Free Credit Reports
Before you can dispute errors, you need to obtain copies of your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each bureau maintains its own separate file on you, and the information can vary between them.
Free Weekly Credit Reports Are Now Permanent
Good news for consumers: the free weekly credit reports that were initially offered during the COVID-19 pandemic are now permanently available. You can access free reports from all three bureaus every week through AnnualCreditReport.com—the only federally authorized source for free credit reports.
Additionally, Equifax is offering six additional free credit reports per year through 2026, available directly from their website. This means you can check your Equifax report even more frequently than the other bureaus.
When reviewing your reports, look carefully at every section. For detailed guidance on what each section means, check out our guide on how to read your credit report. Pay special attention to:
- All account listings and their current status
- Payment history for each account
- Credit limits and balances
- Personal information accuracy
- Any accounts you don't recognize
- Public records and collections
Step-by-Step: How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Once you've identified errors on your credit report, follow these steps to file disputes and get inaccurate information corrected.
Step 1: Document the Errors
Before filing any disputes, make copies of your credit reports and clearly mark each error you've identified. Create a list that includes:
- The specific account or information that's incorrect
- What the error is (e.g., "payment marked late when it was on time")
- What the correct information should be
- Any account numbers associated with the error
Step 2: Gather Supporting Documentation
Collect any documents that prove the information is incorrect. This might include:
- Bank statements showing payments were made on time
- Correspondence from creditors confirming account status
- Court documents showing bankruptcy discharge dates
- Identity theft reports from IdentityTheft.gov
- Account statements showing correct balances
Keep Original Documents Safe
Never send original documents when filing a dispute. Always send copies and keep the originals in a safe place. If you're mailing your dispute, the FTC recommends using certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of when the bureau received your dispute.
Step 3: File Disputes With Each Credit Bureau
You must file a separate dispute with each credit bureau that's reporting the error. Just because you dispute something with Equifax doesn't mean Experian or TransUnion will automatically correct it—each maintains separate files and requires individual disputes.
You can file disputes through three methods:
Online: Each bureau has an online dispute portal. This is typically the fastest method, but you may be limited in how much documentation you can upload.
By Mail: Mailing a written dispute letter gives you more control over how you explain the error and allows you to include unlimited supporting documentation. The FTC provides sample dispute letters you can use as templates.
By Phone: While you can initiate disputes by phone, this method provides the least documentation of your dispute, making it harder to prove what you reported if issues arise later.
Step 4: Contact the Data Furnisher
In addition to disputing with the credit bureaus, you should also contact the company that originally provided the incorrect information (called the "data furnisher"). This might be your bank, credit card company, auto lender, or collection agency.
Under the FCRA, when you dispute information with a credit bureau, the bureau must notify the data furnisher of your dispute. However, contacting the furnisher directly can speed up the process and increases the chances of getting the error corrected, as the furnisher may have more detailed records about your account.
Step 5: Track Your Dispute Status
All three bureaus allow you to check the status of your dispute online. Mark your calendar for 30 days after you file, as this is the deadline by which the bureau must complete its investigation and notify you of the results.
Step 6: Review the Results and Take Next Steps
Once the investigation is complete, the credit bureau will send you the results in writing. If the dispute was successful, they must also provide you with a free copy of your updated credit report. Review this carefully to ensure the correction was made properly.
How to Dispute With Each Credit Bureau
Each credit bureau has its own dispute process and contact information. Here's what you need to know for each one.
Equifax Dispute Process
Equifax offers multiple ways to file disputes through their online dispute center:
- Online: Create or log into your myEquifax account to file disputes electronically
- By Mail: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
- By Phone: 1-866-349-5191
Equifax's four-step dispute process involves: (1) reviewing your credit report, (2) gathering your information, (3) submitting your dispute, and (4) receiving results within 30 days.
Experian Dispute Process
Experian's dispute center allows you to:
- Online: Use the Experian Dispute Center to file and track disputes
- By Mail: Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
- By Phone: 1-888-397-3742
Experian provides detailed FAQs about dispute outcomes and what to do if you disagree with their findings.
TransUnion Dispute Process
TransUnion offers dispute filing through:
- Online: Use the TransUnion Service Center to file disputes
- By Mail: TransUnion Consumer Solutions, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016-2000
- By Phone: 1-800-916-8800
| Bureau | Online Portal | Mailing Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equifax | equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/ | P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256 | 1-866-349-5191 |
| Experian | experian.com/disputes/main.html | P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013 | 1-888-397-3742 |
| TransUnion | transunion.com/credit-disputes | P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016-2000 | 1-800-916-8800 |
Sample Dispute Letter Template
While online disputes are convenient, a written dispute letter sent via certified mail provides the strongest documentation of your dispute. Here's a template based on FTC recommendations:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Credit Bureau Address]
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to dispute the following information in my file. I have circled the items I dispute on the attached copy of my credit report.
[Identify each item disputed, the name of the source (creditor or lender), and the account number. Explain specifically what is incorrect and why.]
I am requesting that the item(s) be removed [or request a specific correction] to correct the information.
Enclosed are copies of [describe any supporting documentation, such as payment records or court documents] supporting my position. Please reinvestigate this matter and [delete or correct] the disputed item(s) as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Enclosures: [List what you're enclosing]
- Copy of credit report with disputed items circled
- Copy of [supporting documents]
- Copy of government-issued ID
- Copy of proof of address
Best Practices for Dispute Letters
Be specific and factual in your letter. Avoid emotional language and stick to the facts. Clearly identify each error, explain why it's incorrect, state what the correct information should be, and include documentation that supports your claim. Keep a copy of everything you send.
What Happens After You File a Dispute?
Understanding the investigation process helps set realistic expectations for your dispute.
The 30-Day Investigation Period
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit bureaus must investigate your dispute within 30 days of receiving it. In some cases, such as when you provide additional information during the investigation, this timeline can extend to 45 days.
During the investigation, the bureau will:
- Review all relevant information you provided
- Forward your dispute and supporting information to the data furnisher
- Record the current status of the disputed information
- Review the data furnisher's response
- Make a determination about whether to modify, delete, or leave the information unchanged
Possible Outcomes
Your dispute can result in one of several outcomes:
Information Corrected or Deleted: The bureau agrees the information is inaccurate and updates or removes it.
Information Verified as Accurate: The bureau investigates and determines the information is accurate as reported.
Dispute Deemed Frivolous: If the bureau believes your dispute lacks sufficient information or you're disputing the same item repeatedly without new evidence, they may decline to investigate.
Getting Your Updated Report
If your dispute results in any changes to your credit report, the bureau must provide you with a free copy of your updated report. You're also entitled to request that the bureau send notices of the correction to anyone who received your credit report in the past six months (or two years for employment purposes).
What to Do If Your Dispute Is Denied
Sometimes credit bureaus verify information as accurate even when you believe it's wrong. Here's what you can do next.
Add a Statement of Dispute
You have the right to add a 100-word statement to your credit report explaining your side of the story. While this statement doesn't change the reported information, it will be visible to anyone who views your credit report. This can be particularly useful if you're applying for credit or a job and want to provide context.
Request a Reinvestigation With New Evidence
If you obtain new documentation that supports your claim, you can file a new dispute. The bureau must investigate if you provide new, relevant information they didn't have before.
File a Complaint With the CFPB
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints about credit reporting issues. Filing a CFPB complaint creates an official record and often prompts the bureau or data furnisher to take a closer look at your dispute. Many consumers report successful resolutions after escalating to the CFPB.
Consider Legal Options
Under the FCRA, you have the right to sue credit bureaus and data furnishers who fail to follow proper dispute procedures. If you've suffered actual damages due to inaccurate credit reporting and the bureau or furnisher willfully violated the law, you may be entitled to compensation. Consult with a consumer rights attorney if you believe legal action may be appropriate.
What You Cannot Dispute (Accurate Negative Information)
It's important to understand that the dispute process is designed to correct inaccurate information—not to remove accurate negative information you simply wish wasn't there.
Legitimate Negative Items
You cannot successfully dispute:
- Late payments that actually occurred
- Legitimate collection accounts for debts you owe
- Accurate public records like judgments or tax liens
- Real accounts you opened and used
Attempting to dispute accurate information can waste time and may be flagged as frivolous, making future legitimate disputes harder to process.
How Long Negative Information Stays on Your Report
Most negative information must be removed after seven years from the date of the first missed payment that led to the negative status. Bankruptcies can remain for seven to ten years depending on the type (Chapter 7 remains for 10 years; Chapter 13 for 7 years).
Alternative Strategies for Accurate Negative Information
If you have accurate negative information on your credit report, consider these approaches:
Goodwill Letters: Write to the creditor explaining your situation and asking them to remove the negative mark as a gesture of goodwill.
Pay-for-Delete Negotiations: Some collection agencies will remove a collection account in exchange for payment. Get any agreement in writing before paying.
Wait It Out and Rebuild: Focus on improving your credit score through positive behaviors. The impact of negative information lessens over time.
Beware of Credit Repair Scams
Be cautious of credit repair companies that promise to remove accurate negative information from your credit report. No company can legally remove accurate information, and some use illegal tactics that can land you in legal trouble. Anything a credit repair company can do, you can do yourself for free.
Identity Theft Disputes: Special Considerations
If errors on your credit report result from identity theft, you have additional protections. Start by filing a report at IdentityTheft.gov to create an official FTC Identity Theft Report. You should also file a police report, which combined with your FTC report creates an Identity Theft Report entitling you to extended fraud alerts and credit freezes.
Contact the fraud departments of each credit bureau to place fraud alerts and request that fraudulent accounts be blocked. With an Identity Theft Report, credit bureaus and furnishers must block the reported fraudulent information. Document everything carefully and involve law enforcement if you've been a victim of fraud.
Conclusion
Disputing errors on your credit report is a fundamental right protected by federal law, and it's completely free to do yourself. While the process requires time and attention to detail, correcting inaccurate information can significantly improve your credit score and financial opportunities. Start by obtaining your free credit reports from all three bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com, carefully review each one for errors, gather supporting documentation, and file disputes with each bureau reporting inaccurate information. Remember to also contact the data furnisher directly and keep copies of all correspondence. If your dispute is denied, you have options including adding a statement of dispute, filing a complaint with the CFPB, or consulting with a consumer rights attorney. By taking control of your credit report accuracy, you're taking an important step toward protecting your financial health.
No, disputing an error on your credit report does not hurt your credit score. The dispute process is separate from credit scoring calculations. However, if the dispute results in removing positive information, that could affect your score. Disputing genuine errors should only help your score.
Credit bureaus are required by law to investigate disputes within 30 days of receiving them. This timeline can extend to 45 days if you provide additional information during the investigation. After the investigation is complete, the bureau must notify you of the results in writing within five business days.
You can dispute credit report errors online, by mail, or by phone. Online disputes are the fastest and most convenient method. However, mailing a written dispute letter via certified mail provides the best documentation and allows you to include more detailed explanations and supporting documents. Many consumer advocates recommend written disputes for complex errors.
You can dispute credit report errors yourself for free, and anything a credit repair company can do, you can do on your own. Credit repair companies cannot legally remove accurate negative information, despite what some may claim. If you decide to use a credit repair service, research them carefully, check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau and CFPB, and be wary of any company that demands upfront payment or guarantees specific results.
You must file a separate dispute with each credit bureau that's reporting the error. The three bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—maintain separate files and do not share dispute information with each other. Correcting an error with one bureau won't automatically correct it with the others.
You can only dispute hard inquiries that you didn't authorize. If you applied for credit and the lender checked your credit report, that's a legitimate inquiry and cannot be removed through a dispute. However, if you see inquiries from companies you never applied with, you can dispute those as unauthorized. Keep in mind that hard inquiries only affect your credit score for one year and fall off your report entirely after two years.
Disclaimer: The information provided on RichCub is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or investment advice. We recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions. RichCub may receive compensation through affiliate links or advertising on this site.
RichCub Editorial Team
Contributor
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