Disputing an Error on Your Credit Report
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In this article
Step-by-step guidance on identifying inaccurate entries on a credit report and formally requesting a correction.
Key Takeaways
- You are legally entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus annually.
- Errors on credit reports can negatively affect your credit score and borrowing ability.
- The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives consumers the right to dispute inaccurate information.
- Bureaus are generally required to investigate disputes within 30 days of receiving them.
- Keep detailed records of every communication throughout the dispute process.
Why Credit Report Errors Matter
Your credit report is a detailed record of how you've managed debt and credit over time. Lenders, landlords, and even some employers use it to evaluate your reliability. An error — whether a payment wrongly marked late, an account that doesn't belong to you, or outdated negative information — can drag down your credit score and make borrowing more expensive or difficult.
Errors are more common than many consumers realize. The Federal Trade Commission has conducted research suggesting that a meaningful share of consumers have at least one mistake on a credit report that could affect their score. Catching and correcting these errors is one of the most direct ways to protect your financial standing. For a broader foundation on how credit works, see our complete guide for first-time borrowers.
What you will need
How to Dispute an Error: Step by Step
The dispute process is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a federal law that establishes your rights as a consumer. Following the steps below methodically gives you the strongest foundation for a successful correction.
Obtain and Review Your Credit Reports
Request your credit reports from all three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site authorized under federal law. Review each report carefully, section by section: personal information, account history, inquiries, and public records.
Identify and Document the Error
Mark every entry you believe is inaccurate. Common errors include payments incorrectly marked late, accounts belonging to someone else (often due to identity theft or mixed files), duplicate accounts, incorrect balances, and negative items that should have aged off after the legally allowed reporting period (typically seven years). Note which bureau or bureaus show each error — the same mistake may appear on one report but not others.
Gather Supporting Evidence
Collect any documentation that supports your claim. For a payment wrongly marked late, a bank statement or payment confirmation works well. For an account you don't recognize, gather any records that show the account is not yours. The stronger your evidence, the more clearly it supports the bureau's investigation.
Submit Your Dispute to the Credit Bureau
File a dispute directly with each bureau that shows the error — you cannot file with one bureau to fix all three. Each major bureau offers an online dispute portal, a mailing address, and a phone option. A written dispute (online or by certified mail) creates a clear paper trail. Your dispute should clearly identify each item you are contesting, explain why you believe it is inaccurate, and list the supporting documents you are enclosing.
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
- Experian: experian.com/disputes
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-disputes
Dispute With the Information Furnisher
In addition to contacting the bureau, you can also submit a dispute directly to the creditor or lender (called the "furnisher") that reported the incorrect data. Under the FCRA, furnishers are required to investigate disputes they receive directly and are prohibited from continuing to report information they know to be inaccurate.
Track Your Dispute and Follow Up
Keep a log of all dispute submissions, including dates, bureau contact details, case or confirmation numbers, and any correspondence received. Bureaus are generally required to respond within 30 days. If you do not hear back within that window, follow up in writing. Once you receive the investigation results, review your updated credit report to confirm the correction was made accurately.
Dispute Each Bureau Separately
A correction at one credit bureau does not automatically carry over to the others. If the same error appears on reports from multiple bureaus, you must file a separate dispute with each one. Check all three reports before assuming the issue has been fully resolved.
What Happens After You File a Dispute
Once a credit bureau receives your dispute, it is generally required under the FCRA to investigate within 30 days (or 45 days in certain circumstances). The bureau will contact the information furnisher — typically the lender or creditor — and ask them to verify the data. If the furnisher cannot confirm the entry as accurate, the bureau must remove or correct it.
You will receive written notification of the investigation's outcome. If the dispute is resolved in your favor, the bureau must also notify any party that received your report in the prior six months. If you disagree with the outcome, you have the right to add a brief statement of dispute to your credit file, which will appear alongside the contested entry.
Keep in mind that the dispute process addresses reporting errors — it does not remove accurate negative information, even if that information is harmful. For guidance on rebuilding your profile after resolving errors, see our article on building credit responsibly over time. You may also want to review common credit score myths to separate fact from fiction as you work to improve your standing.
This article provides general financial education and is not personalized financial or legal advice. For questions specific to your situation, consider consulting a licensed financial adviser or consumer law attorney.
Author
Money & Finance Editorial Team
Money & Finance Editorial Team is the collective byline for our editorial team and contributor network. Articles published under this byline or an editorial pen name are researched, written, and reviewed according to our editorial standards for clarity, consistency, and independence before publication.
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