How to dispute a credit report error
You can dispute an error on your credit report by sending a written dispute letter to the credit bureau that reported it, or to the company that provided the false information. The credit bureau must investigate your dispute within 30 days and remove the error if they cannot verify it. You do not need to pay anyone to do this — the process is free, and you can handle it yourself by mail or online.
The three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — each maintain separate reports about you. An error on one bureau's report does not automatically appear on the others, so you may need to dispute with more than one. Start by getting a copy of your report from each bureau to see where the error appears.
Key Takeaways
- You can dispute an error by sending a letter to the credit bureau or the company that reported the false information, and the bureau must investigate within 30 days.
- Get a free copy of your credit report from annualcreditreport.com (the only official site) to find errors before you dispute.
- Your dispute letter should clearly describe what is wrong, explain why it is wrong, and include copies (not originals) of documents that support your claim.
- If the bureau does not remove the error after investigation, you can add a statement to your report and file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Getting your credit report and finding the error
Visit annualcreditreport.com to request a free copy of your report from each of the three major bureaus. This is the only official site authorized by federal law; other sites that offer "free" reports often require a credit card and sign you up for paid monitoring. You are may have access to to one free report per bureau per year.
Review each report carefully. Look for accounts you do not recognize, incorrect balances, wrong payment history, accounts listed as open that you closed, or personal information that is not yours. Write down the exact details of what is wrong — the account number, the reported balance, the payment status, or whatever else is inaccurate.
If the error appears on only one bureau's report, you still need to dispute it with that bureau. Do not assume the other two have the same mistake.
Sending a dispute letter to the credit bureau
Write a letter to the credit bureau that reported the error. Include your name, address, date of birth, and the account number or other identifying information for the account in question. Clearly state what information is wrong and why. For example: "This account shows a balance of $500, but I paid it in full on March 15, 2023" or "This account is not mine and I have never opened it."
Attach copies (not originals) of documents that support your claim — a bank statement showing the payment, a letter from the creditor, a police report if the account is fraudulent, or anything else that proves the error. Keep the letter brief and factual.
Send the letter by certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof the bureau received it. You can also dispute online through the bureau's website, though a mailed letter creates a clearer paper trail. The bureau must acknowledge receipt of your dispute and begin investigating within 30 days.
Disputing with the company that reported the error
You can also send a dispute letter directly to the creditor or company that reported the false information — the bank, credit card company, collection agency, or other entity listed on your credit report. This is often faster than disputing with the bureau, because the company can correct the information at the source.
Use the same format as your letter to the bureau: state what is wrong, why it is wrong, and include supporting documents. Send it to the address listed on your credit report or to the company's customer service department. Keep a copy for your records.
When the company corrects the error, they must report the correction to all three credit bureaus. This can take 30 to 60 days. If you dispute with the company and the bureau at the same time, you increase the chances the error will be caught and fixed.
What happens during the investigation
Once the credit bureau receives your dispute, they must contact the company that reported the information and ask them to verify it. The company has a limited time to respond — usually 30 days. If the company cannot verify the information or does not respond, the bureau must remove it from your report.
If the company verifies the information as accurate, the bureau will tell you the dispute was unsuccessful and the item will remain on your report. The bureau must send you a written notice explaining the outcome, whether the dispute was upheld or denied.
The entire process typically takes 30 to 45 days from the time the bureau receives your letter. Some bureaus offer online dispute tracking so you can check the status without waiting for mail.
What to do if the error is not removed
If the bureau investigates and decides the information is accurate, or if the company verifies it, you have the right to add a statement to your credit report. This statement (up to 100 words) explains your side of the dispute. For example, you might write: "I dispute this account. I paid this debt in full in 2023 but the creditor has not updated the report."
You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints about credit bureaus and creditors and can take action if they find a violation. Filing a complaint does not remove the error from your report, but it creates an official record and may prompt the bureau or company to review your case again.
If you believe the error is the result of identity theft or fraud, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your account to prevent further damage.
Disputing errors that affect your housing or loan applications
If a credit report error has already caused you to be denied housing, a loan, or other credit, you have additional options. When a lender denies you based on your credit report, they must provide you with the name and contact information of the bureau they used. You can then request a free copy of that specific report and dispute any errors on it.
Some lenders will reconsider your application once an error is removed. Contact the lender after the dispute is resolved and ask if they will review your application again. Keep documentation of the error and its removal in case you need to prove the denial was based on inaccurate information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay someone to dispute a credit report error?
No. Disputing is free, and you can do it yourself by mail or online. Credit repair companies charge fees to dispute errors, but they cannot do anything you cannot do yourself. The credit bureau must investigate your dispute at no cost.
How long does it take to remove an error from my credit report?
The credit bureau must investigate within 30 days of receiving your dispute. If the error is removed, it typically disappears from your report within one to two billing cycles. If the company verifies the information as correct, the item will remain on your report.
What if the error appears on all three credit reports?
Dispute with each bureau separately, or dispute with the company that reported it and ask them to correct it across all three bureaus. Sending one dispute letter to one bureau will not automatically remove the error from the other two.
Can I dispute an error if it is old?
Yes. There is no time limit on disputing inaccurate information. Even if an account is several years old, you can dispute it if the information is wrong. However, most negative items fall off your report after seven years regardless of whether you dispute them.
What should I do if the company that reported the error no longer exists?
Dispute directly with the credit bureau. If the company is out of business, they cannot verify the information, and the bureau should remove it. Include a note in your dispute letter explaining that the company is no longer in operation.