Credit report errors are surprisingly common — studies show roughly 1 in 5 consumers have an error on at least one credit report. Errors can lower your credit score, increase loan interest rates, or cause outright denials.
17 steps across 2 sections
1. Steps Process
- Get your free credit reports — Request reports from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com. You are entitled to one free report per bureau per year, plus additi...
- Review each report carefully — Check for: wrong accounts (not yours), incorrect balances, wrong payment history, accounts listed as open when closed, duplicate accounts, incorrect personal informat...
- Gather supporting documentation — Collect evidence proving the error: bank statements, payment receipts, account closure letters, correspondence with creditors, identity theft reports, or court doc...
- File a dispute with each credit bureau — Dispute with every bureau showing the error. Options:
- Online: Experian.com, Equifax.com, TransUnion.com (quickest)
- Mail: Send a dispute letter via certified mail with return receipt (strongest legal protection)
- Phone: Call each bureau directly
- File a dispute with the data furnisher — Also contact the company that reported the wrong information (creditor, bank, collection agency). Send a written dispute explaining the error and include su...
- Wait for investigation results — The bureau has 30 days (45 in some cases) to investigate. They must forward your dispute to the furnisher, who must investigate and report back.
- Review the results — The bureau must provide written results and a free copy of your updated report if changes were made. If the information is verified as accurate and you still disagree, you can ...
2. Key Details
- FCRA gives you the right to dispute any information you believe is inaccurate
- Credit bureaus must investigate within 30 days of receiving your dispute
- If information cannot be verified, it must be removed
- You can dispute online, by phone, or by mail (mail creates the strongest paper trail)
- The furnisher (creditor) must also investigate when notified by the bureau
- If the dispute results in a change, the bureau must notify all other bureaus
- You are entitled to a free credit report after any adverse action based on your credit
Common Mistakes
- Only disputing with one bureau (errors may appear on all three)
- Not including supporting documentation with your dispute
- Disputing everything at once (bureaus may dismiss as frivolous)
- Using credit repair companies that charge fees for services you can do yourse...
- Not following up on dispute results
Pro Tips
- Always dispute by certified mail if the error is significant — it creates a l...
- Keep copies of everything you send and receive
- If the error reappears after being removed, file a new dispute referencing th...
- Under FCRA, you can sue for damages if a bureau fails to correct verified errors
- CFPB complaints are very effective — companies are required to respond within...