How do I dispute an error on my credit report?

File a dispute online at the credit bureau's website (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). You can also dispute by mail or phone. Include your personal information, identify the error, explain why it's wrong, and attach supporting documentation. The bureau has 30 days to investigate.

How long does a credit report dispute take?

Credit bureaus must investigate and respond within 30 days of receiving your dispute (45 days if you provide additional information during the investigation). Most online disputes are resolved within 2-3 weeks.

Does filing a dispute hurt your credit score?

No. Filing a dispute does not hurt your credit score. If the dispute results in removal of a negative item, your score will likely improve. During the investigation, the disputed item may be marked as 'in dispute' but your score is unaffected.

How to Dispute Credit Report Errors: Step-by-Step (2026)

About 1 in 5 Americans has an error on at least one credit report, according to the FTC. These mistakes can lower your score and cost you money. Here’s how to fix them.

Common Credit Report Errors

Error Type	Example	How Common
Wrong personal info	Incorrect name, address, or SSN	Very common
Accounts that aren’t yours	Someone else’s account on your report	Common
Duplicate accounts	Same debt listed twice	Common
Wrong account status	Shows open when closed, or late when on time	Common
Incorrect balance	Balance higher or lower than actual	Common
Wrong credit limit	Lower limit reported = higher utilization	Moderate
Outdated negative items	Items past the 7-year removal date	Moderate
Fraud-related accounts	Identity theft accounts	Less common
Mixed file	Another person’s data mixed with yours	Less common

How Errors Affect Your Score

Error Type	Potential Score Impact
Late payment reported incorrectly	-60 to -110 points
Collection that isn’t yours	-50 to -100 points
Wrong credit limit (lower)	Raises utilization, -20 to -50 points
Wrong balance (higher)	Raises utilization, -10 to -40 points
Duplicate collection account	-50 to -100 points
Account you didn’t open	Varies widely

Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports

Bureau	Where to Get Report	Cost
All 3 at once	AnnualCreditReport.com	Free (weekly)
Equifax	equifax.com	Free (once/week)
Experian	experian.com	Free (once/month)
TransUnion	transunion.com	Free (once/week)

Pull reports from all three bureaus. An error may appear on one, two, or all three.

Step 2: Identify the Errors

Review each section of every report:

Section to Check	What to Look For
Personal information	Wrong name, address, employer, SSN
Account information	Accounts you don’t recognize
Account status	“Late” when you paid on time, “open” when closed
Balances	Higher than actual balance
Credit limits	Lower than actual limit
Payment history	Incorrect late payment marks
Public records	Bankruptcies or judgments that aren’t yours
Inquiries	Hard inquiries you didn’t authorize
Collections	Debts you don’t owe or already paid

Step 3: Gather Documentation

Error Type	Documents to Gather
Wrong payment status	Bank statements, canceled checks, payment confirmations
Account not yours	Government ID, proof of identity theft
Wrong balance	Recent statement showing correct balance
Account already paid	Payoff letter, settlement agreement
Outdated item	Proof of original delinquency date (7+ years ago)
Identity theft	FTC Identity Theft Report, police report

Step 4: File the Dispute

Option 1: Online (Fastest)

Bureau	Dispute URL
Equifax	equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute
Experian	experian.com/disputes/main.html
TransUnion	transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-online

Option 2: By Mail (Creates Paper Trail)

Bureau	Mailing Address
Equifax	P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30348
Experian	P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion	P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

Include in your letter:

Full name, address, date of birth, SSN
Identify each item you’re disputing
Explain why the information is incorrect
State what you want (removal or correction)
Include copies (not originals) of supporting documents

Option 3: By Phone

Bureau	Phone Number
Equifax	866-349-5191
Experian	888-397-3742
TransUnion	800-916-8800

Online or mail is recommended over phone — you’ll have a record of your dispute.

Step 5: Also Contact the Furnisher

The furnisher is the company that reported the information (e.g., your bank, credit card company, or collection agency).

Step	Action
1	Write to the company that reported the error
2	Explain the error and provide documentation
3	Request they correct the information with all 3 bureaus
4	They must investigate within 30 days

Disputing with both the bureau and the furnisher increases your chances of resolution.

Dispute Timeline

Stage	Timeline
Bureau receives dispute	Day 0
Bureau contacts furnisher	Within 5 business days
Furnisher investigates	Up to 30 days
Bureau sends results	Within 5 days of completion
Total process	30-45 days
If unresolved	File with CFPB or add a statement

What Happens After You Dispute

Outcome	What It Means
Deleted	Item removed from your report
Modified	Information corrected (e.g., status changed)
Verified	Bureau/furnisher says the info is accurate; no change
Still disputed	You can re-dispute with more evidence, escalate to CFPB, or add a consumer statement

If Your Dispute Is Denied

Next Step	How
Re-dispute with new evidence	Provide additional documentation
File complaint with CFPB	consumerfinance.gov/complaint
Add a consumer statement	100-word statement added to your report
Contact furnisher directly	Request correction from the reporting company
Consult a consumer attorney	Free consultation for FCRA violations

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint often prompts faster action.

Dispute Letter Template

A basic dispute letter should include:

Section	Content
Your info	Full name, address, DOB, SSN
Date	Today’s date
Recipient	Bureau’s dispute address
Subject	“Credit Report Dispute”
Body	“I am writing to dispute the following information on my credit report…”
Each item	Account name, account number, what’s wrong, what it should be
Request	“Please investigate and correct (or delete) this item”
Enclosures	List of attached documents
Signature	Your signature

Send by certified mail with return receipt requested.

Your Rights Under the FCRA

The Fair Credit Reporting Act protects you:

Right	Details
Free credit reports	Weekly from each bureau
30-day investigation	Bureaus must investigate within 30 days
Notification of results	Must notify you of dispute outcome
Free report after dispute	Free report from bureau that made changes
Sue for damages	Can sue for FCRA violations
Furnisher obligations	Companies must report accurate info

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