How Do I Dispute Credit Report Errors

Your credit history determines whether you can borrow money, how much interest you’ll pay (if you are approved for a loan), and even your ability to secure a job, insurance, or housing.

So, it is advisable to make an effort to ensure your credit report is accurate. If you spot an error, don’t worry—you have the right to dispute it. This guide will walk you through the process of disputing inaccurate negative items on your credit report, step by step.

What Kind of Errors Should You Look For?

Errors on credit reports range from minor typos to significant inaccuracies, such as fraudulent accounts. A 2021 survey revealed that more than one-third of consumers found errors on their credit reports. Here are common issues to watch for:

Incorrect personal details (e.g., name, address)
Accounts you don’t recognize
Accounts belonging to someone with a similar name
Payments reported as late when they were on time
Incorrect balances or credit limits

Spotting and correcting these errors can improve your credit score and protect your financial reputation.

Steps to Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report

You can dispute credit report errors on your own or rely on a dedicated credit repair company if you want to save time and effort.

When you dispute inaccurate information or unsubstantiated negative information, both the credit bureau and the business that supplied the incorrect information must investigate and resolve the issue.

Here are the steps you can follow to dispute errors on your credit report:

Step #1: Get Copies of Your Credit Reports

You are entitled to free credit reports from the top three major credit reporting agencies once every year. You can request these reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.

As of now, the bureaus allow weekly access to free reports, a program extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, Equifax offers six free credit reports per year through 2026, accessible online or by calling 1-866-349-5191.

Step #2: Send a Dispute Letter to the Credit Bureaus

Write a clear and concise letter to each credit bureau that reported the error. You can use the sample dispute letter template shared by the FTC.

Be sure to include the following information in your dispute letter:

Your full name and address
Add a description of the error. Clearly identify the specific items you are disputing. Provide the facts and explain why you believe the information is incorrect.
Copies (not originals) of supporting documents
A copy of your credit report with the disputed items highlighted or circled for clarity.

Send your letter via certified mail with a return receipt to ensure it’s received. Also, keep copies of everything you send for your records. You can also dispute errors online or by phone.

Credit Bureau Addresses:
- Equifax: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30348
- Experian: Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
- TransUnion: TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

Provide the Following Information:
- Full name, date of birth, and Social Security number
- Current and past addresses from the last two years
- A copy of a valid ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport)
- Details of the disputed item, including account numbers
- Supporting evidence for your claim

#3. Reduce Your Credit Utilization

Credit utilization refers to how much of your available credit you’re using. Ideally, this should remain below 30% to maintain a healthy credit score. If you're using too much of your available credit, it can lower your credit score

To lower your utilization:

Pay down your credit card balances.
Limit spending.
Consider balance transfer cards to consolidate debts.

Step #3: Contact the Business That Supplied the Information

You can also dispute the erroneous negative entry in your credit report directly with the business that reported it. Provide similar documentation as you would for the credit bureau, and send your letter via certified mail.

If you can't find the address to send your letter to, contact the business directly.

What Happens After You File a Dispute?
Credit bureaus must investigate disputes within 30 days (or 45 days if you provide additional information). They will forward your evidence to the business that reported the information, which is also required to investigate.

If the business confirms the information is inaccurate, they must notify all three bureaus to update your report.
The credit bureau will send you the results of the investigation in writing and a free copy of your updated report if changes were made.
If your dispute is deemed frivolous, the bureau may stop the investigation but must explain why.

You may see one of three outcomes of the dispute process:

Successful Dispute:The error is removed, and your credit report is updated.
Unsuccessful Dispute:The information remains if the evidence was insufficient.
Frivolous Dispute:The investigation is halted due to inadequate supporting evidence.

If the inaccurate information is removed, the credit bureau must notify parties who accessed your report in the past six months (or two years for employment-related inquiries).

What If the Investigation Doesn't Resolve Your Dispute?

If the dispute is unresolved, you can:

Request a statement of dispute to be added to your file.
Ask the bureau to share your statement with entities that accessed your report (this may incur a fee).
Submit a new dispute with additional evidence or file a consumer statement.

What If the Information Is Correct but Negative?
Sometimes, your credit report accurately reflects negative financial events, such as late payments or bankruptcies. Credit bureaus are allowed to report most negative information for up to seven years, and bankruptcy information for up to 10 years.

While these entries may be unfavorable, as long as they are correct, they cannot be disputed. You can, however, write goodwill letters to creditors to delete negative items like late payments if you have a good credit standing with them or request removal based on a pay-for-delete arrangement.

Will the Dispute Process Damage Your Credit Score?

No. Filing a dispute with the credit reporting agencies does not inherently harm your credit and is protected by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Your score might fluctuate temporarily if an account is marked as “under dispute” during the investigation. Resolution of a dispute takes approximately 30 to 45 days. A successful dispute which leads to removal of an incorrect negative item can improve your score.

Need Help Disputing Inaccuracies On Your Credit Report?
While you can dispute errors yourself, you may also seek assistance from a reputable credit repair company. Our team at AMERICA CREDIT CARE specializes in disputing inaccurate negative items, such as late payments, charge-offs, collections, repossessions, and more. We have years of experience working with credit bureaus and can help you from start to end.

We have many years of experience in evaluating credit and guiding consumers to assert their legal rights. We do it every day! We guarantee honesty and dependability, virtues which most people seem to have forgotten.

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