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One in five Americans has an error on their credit report, according to the FTC. These errors can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in higher interest rates — or even get you denied for credit entirely.
The good news? You have the legal right to dispute any inaccurate information. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports
Pull all three reports from AnnualCreditReport.com (free). You need to check all three because each bureau may have different information. An error on Experian might not appear on TransUnion.
Step 2: Identify the Errors
Go through each report carefully. Common errors include:
- Accounts that aren’t yours (possible identity theft or mixed file)
- Late payments reported incorrectly
- Wrong account balances or credit limits
- Closed accounts showing as open
- Same debt listed more than once
- Negative items that should have aged off (most fall off after 7 years)
- Incorrect personal information (wrong name, address, or SSN)
Step 3: Gather Your Evidence
Before filing a dispute, collect supporting documents:
- Bank or credit card statements showing correct payment dates
- Letters from creditors confirming account status
- Receipts or canceled checks
- Identity theft reports (if applicable)
The stronger your evidence, the faster the resolution.
Step 4: File Your Dispute
You can dispute with each bureau that shows the error. Three methods:
Online (Fastest)
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/disputes
- Experian: experian.com/disputes
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-disputes
By Mail (Creates Paper Trail)
Send a dispute letter via certified mail with return receipt. Include:
- Your full name, address, and SSN
- Identification of each item you’re disputing
- Why you believe it’s inaccurate
- Copies (not originals) of supporting documents
- A request to remove or correct the information
By Phone
Possible but not recommended — there’s no paper trail if things go wrong.
Step 5: Wait for the Investigation
The bureau has 30 days to investigate your dispute (45 days if you provide additional information during the investigation). They must:
- Forward your dispute to the creditor (data furnisher)
- The creditor must investigate and report back
- The bureau must notify you of the results
Step 6: Review the Results
The bureau will send you the results and a free copy of your updated report. Three possible outcomes:
- Corrected: The error is fixed. Check that it’s actually removed/updated.
- Verified: The creditor says the info is accurate. You can escalate (see below).
- Deleted: The creditor didn’t respond within 30 days, so the item is removed.
If Your Dispute Is Denied
Don’t give up. You have options:
- Dispute directly with the creditor (data furnisher) — they’re also required to investigate under the FCRA
- Add a consumer statement to your report explaining the dispute (up to 100 words)
- File a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov — this often gets faster results
- Consult a consumer rights attorney — if the error is causing real financial harm, you may have a case under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
Pro Tips
- Dispute one error at a time for the best results. Mass disputes sometimes get flagged as frivolous.
- Keep copies of everything — your letters, their responses, and all supporting documents.
- Follow up after 35 days if you haven’t heard back.
- After a successful dispute, check your report again in 60 days to make sure the correction stuck.