About one in five Americans has an error on at least one of their credit reports, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Some errors are minor; others — like accounts that don’t belong to you or late payments that were actually on time — can significantly lower your credit score and cost you money in higher interest rates or denied applications. The good news: the process for disputing errors is established by federal law, and you have real rights.
Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports
You’re entitled to free weekly credit reports from all three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com (the official, federally mandated free report site). Get all three — errors often appear on one bureau’s report but not others.
Review each report carefully. Look for:
- Accounts you don’t recognize (could indicate identity theft)
- Late payments marked incorrectly
- Wrong balances or credit limits
- Accounts listed as open that you closed
- Duplicate accounts
- Wrong personal information (name spelling, address, SSN errors)
- Negative information older than 7 years (10 years for bankruptcy Chapter 7) that should have “aged off”
Step 2: Document the Error
Before you file a dispute, gather your documentation:
- A copy of the credit report with the error clearly marked
- Any proof that supports your claim: payment receipts, bank statements, letters from creditors, account closing confirmations
- Your personal information (name, address, SSN, date of birth)
The more specific and well-documented your dispute, the faster and more likely it is to be resolved in your favor.
Step 3: File a Dispute with the Credit Bureau
Each credit bureau has an online dispute portal, a mailing address, and a phone number for disputes:
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/
- Experian: experian.com/disputes/
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-disputes/
File separately with each bureau that shows the error — they don’t share dispute information with each other.
Online is the fastest method. If you prefer a paper trail, send a certified letter with return receipt requested to the bureau’s dispute address. Include copies (not originals) of your supporting documents.
What Happens After You File
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), credit bureaus are required to:
- Investigate your dispute, typically within 30 days (45 days if you provided additional information after the initial filing)
- Contact the creditor that furnished the information
- Notify you of the results of the investigation
- Correct or delete any information that is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable
If the information can’t be verified, the bureau must delete it — even if it’s accurate. This is why disputes sometimes succeed even when the underlying debt is real.
Also Dispute with the Creditor Directly
In addition to disputing with the bureau, you can also write to the creditor (the company that reported the information) directly. Send a letter explaining the error and providing your documentation. The creditor is also required to investigate and correct information they reported inaccurately.
Sending disputes to both the bureau and the creditor simultaneously often speeds resolution. Address the letter to the creditor’s “consumer disputes” department; their address is often listed on your credit report.
If the Dispute Is Rejected
If the bureau says the information is verified and correct:
- Request a statement of dispute. You can add a 100-word statement to your credit report explaining your side. Future lenders will see this when they pull your report.
- File a complaint with the CFPB. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov/complaint/) handles credit reporting complaints and can pressure bureaus to reinvestigate.
- Consult a consumer law attorney. If the error is causing real financial harm and the bureau refuses to correct it, you may have legal remedies under the FCRA. Many consumer attorneys work on contingency for FCRA cases.
How Often to Check Your Credit
Review your credit reports at least once a year — more if you’re preparing to apply for a major loan (mortgage, auto). The free weekly access at AnnualCreditReport.com makes quarterly reviews easy. Early detection of errors or identity theft is the most effective defense.