Found an error on your credit report? Learn how to dispute credit report errors with all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Step-by-step guide with templates and timelines.
Did you know that 1 in 5 people have errors on their credit reports that could be hurting their credit scores?
I discovered this firsthand when I found a credit card on my report that I'd never opened. It took me 45 days to get it removed, but when I did, my credit score jumped by 35 points.
If you've found an error on your credit report, here's exactly how to dispute it and get it removed.
Common Credit Report Errors (Are Any of These on Your Report?)
Before we dive into the dispute process, let's identify what qualifies as an error:
✅ Accounts that aren't yours
- Credit cards you never opened (possible identity theft!)
- Loans you didn't take out
- Someone else's account (common with similar names)
✅ Incorrect account status
- Accounts marked "open" that you closed
- Accounts marked "closed" that are still open
- Accounts showing a balance when they're paid off
✅ Wrong payment history
- Payments marked late that you paid on time
- Duplicate late payments
- Late payments on accounts you paid correctly
✅ Incorrect personal information
- Wrong address
- Misspelled name
- Wrong Social Security Number (last 4 digits)
- Wrong date of birth
✅ Duplicate accounts
- The same debt listed twice (often happens with collections)
- Same account from different creditors
✅ Incorrect credit limits or balances
- Credit limit shown as lower than it actually is (makes utilization look higher!)
- Balance shown as higher than it is
- Closed accounts still showing balances
✅ Old negative items that should have expired
- Late payments older than 7 years
- Collections older than 7 years
- Bankruptcies (Chapter 13) older than 7 years
- Bankruptcies (Chapter 7) older than 10 years
Why Errors Matter
Even small errors can hurt your credit score:
Example 1: Wrong credit limit
Your actual limit: $5,000
Reported limit: $2,000
Your balance: $1,000
Impact:
- With correct limit: 20% utilization ✅
- With error: 50% utilization ❌ (hurts your score!)
Example 2: Late payment that was on time
Your payment: Made on the 10th (before the 15th due date)
Credit report: Shows 30-day late payment
Impact: Could drop your score by 50-100 points!
The bottom line: Errors can cost you points, higher interest rates, and loan denials. It's worth your time to fix them.
Step-by-Step: How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports (All Three!)
You have three credit reports—one from each bureau:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
How to get them for FREE: Go to AnnualCreditReport.com (the ONLY official site)
- Get all three reports at once (recommended), OR
- Stagger them (one every 4 months for year-round monitoring)
Cost: $0 (by law, you get one free report per bureau per year)
Pro tip: Don't use random websites that promise "free credit reports." Many are scams or charge hidden fees. AnnualCreditReport.com is the ONLY official source.
Step 2: Review Each Report Carefully
Go through each report line by line. Check for:
✅ Personal information section:
- Name spelled correctly?
- Current and previous addresses accurate?
- SSN correct?
✅ Account information:
- Do you recognize every account?
- Are the balances correct?
- Are the credit limits accurate?
- Is the payment history correct?
- Are the account statuses right (open/closed)?
✅ Public records:
- Any bankruptcies, tax liens, or judgments that shouldn't be there?
✅ Hard inquiries:
- Do you recognize all of them?
- Any you didn't authorize?
Document everything: Take screenshots or make notes of every error you find.
Step 3: Gather Evidence
Before you file a dispute, collect proof that the information is wrong:
For incorrect payment history:
- Bank statements showing the payment was made
- Canceled checks
- Payment confirmation emails
- Credit card statements
For accounts that aren't yours:
- Police report (if it's identity theft)
- A statement that you've never had an account with that creditor
For incorrect balances:
- Recent statements from the creditor
- Payoff letters
For old items that should be removed:
- Documentation showing the original date of the delinquency (to prove it's past 7/10 years)
Pro tip: You don't NEED evidence to file a dispute, but having it speeds up the process and increases your success rate.
Step 4: File Your Dispute (3 Ways to Do It)
You can dispute errors online, by mail, or by phone. Here's how each works:
Option 1: Online Dispute (Fastest)
Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/
Experian: https://www.experian.com/disputes/main.html
TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-credit
How it works:
- Create an account on the bureau's website
- Find the error in your online report
- Click "Dispute this item"
- Select the reason for dispute
- Upload supporting documents (if you have them)
- Submit
Pros:
- Fast and convenient
- Can track status online
- Usually resolved within 30 days
Cons:
- Some people feel they have less control
- You're limited to pre-written dispute reasons
Option 2: Mail Dispute (Most Control)
When to use: For complex disputes or when you want a paper trail.
What to send:
- A dispute letter (see template below)
- Copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents
- A copy of your credit report with the error highlighted
Where to send:
Equifax:
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
Experian:
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion:
TransUnion LLC
Consumer Dispute Center
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Send via certified mail with return receipt requested (so you have proof they received it).
Pros:
- More control over what you say
- Paper trail
- Better for complex disputes
Cons:
- Slower (can take 30-45 days)
- More work
Option 3: Phone Dispute (Least Recommended)
You can call the credit bureaus, but I don't recommend this method:
- No paper trail
- Hard to explain complex issues
- They may try to upsell you on credit monitoring
Only use phone if: You need to ask questions about the dispute process.
Step 5: Wait for Investigation (30 Days)
By law, the credit bureau has 30 days to investigate your dispute (can be extended to 45 days in some cases).
What happens during this time:
- The bureau contacts the creditor (furnisher of information)
- The creditor reviews your dispute and their records
- The creditor responds: "It's accurate," "It's inaccurate," or "We can't verify"
Possible outcomes:
✅ Error confirmed: The item is corrected or removed. You'll receive an updated credit report.
❌ Dispute denied: The creditor says the information is accurate. The item stays on your report.
⚠️ Can't be verified: If the creditor can't verify the information within 30 days, it MUST be removed!
Step 6: Review the Results
After the investigation, the bureau will send you:
- A letter with the results
- An updated credit report (if changes were made)
- Information about your rights if the dispute was denied
If your dispute was successful:
- ✅ The error is removed or corrected
- ✅ Your credit score may improve (check in 30-60 days)
- ✅ Request updated reports from all three bureaus (they should all update, but double-check)
If your dispute was denied:
- You can dispute again with more evidence
- You can dispute with the creditor directly (see Step 7)
- You can add a 100-word statement to your credit report explaining your side
Step 7: If the Bureau Denies Your Dispute
Don't give up! You have more options:
Option A: Dispute Directly with the Creditor
Sometimes the credit bureau sides with the creditor. Go straight to the source:
- Find the creditor's contact info (on your credit report or their website)
- Send a dispute letter (similar to what you sent the bureau)
- Include your supporting documents
- Request that they update the credit bureaus
Why this works: The creditor may catch an error their internal system missed.
Option B: File a Complaint
If you believe the bureau isn't following the law:
File with the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau):
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
File with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission):
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
File with your state Attorney General
These agencies can put pressure on the bureau to review your case more carefully.
Option C: Add a Statement to Your Report
If the error can't be removed, you can add a 100-word statement explaining your side of the story.
Example:
"This late payment was reported in error. I have bank records proving I paid on time. I have disputed this with the creditor and credit bureau multiple times."
Does this help? A little. Lenders might see your explanation, but it won't raise your score.
Dispute Letter Template
Use this template when disputing by mail:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Address]
Re: Dispute of Inaccurate Information on Credit Report
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to dispute the following information on my credit report:
Account Name: [Name of creditor]
Account Number: [Last 4 digits only]
Error: [Describe the error specifically]
This information is [inaccurate/incomplete/outdated] because [explain why]. I have enclosed [copies of bank statements/payment records/etc.] as evidence.
I request that you investigate this matter and correct/remove this information from my credit report.
Please send me a written notice of the results of your investigation and an updated credit report.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]
Enclosures:
- Copy of credit report with error highlighted
- [List supporting documents]How Long Does It Take?
Timeline:
- Day 1: You file the dispute
- Day 2-5: Bureau receives and acknowledges your dispute
- Day 5-25: Investigation (bureau contacts creditor, reviews evidence)
- Day 30: Bureau must respond with results
- Day 30-60: If correction is made, your credit score updates
Total time: Usually 30-45 days from dispute to seeing the impact on your score.
What If It's Identity Theft?
If you find accounts you never opened, you're likely a victim of identity theft. Take these steps IMMEDIATELY:
- Place a fraud alert: Contact one of the three bureaus (they'll notify the others)
- Freeze your credit: Prevents new accounts from being opened
- File a police report: You'll need this to dispute fraudulent accounts
- File an FTC Identity Theft Report: https://www.identitytheft.gov/
- Dispute the fraudulent accounts: Use the process above, but include your police report and FTC report
Tips for a Successful Dispute
✅ Be specific: Don't just say "this is wrong." Explain exactly what's wrong and why.
✅ Be polite: Hostile or aggressive letters don't help your case.
✅ Include evidence: The more proof you have, the better.
✅ Dispute one item at a time: Don't overwhelm the bureau with 10 disputes at once. They might flag it as frivolous.
✅ Keep copies of everything: Letters, supporting documents, tracking numbers, responses.
✅ Follow up: If you don't hear back in 30 days, call and ask for a status update.
✅ Check all three bureaus: An error on one report might be on all three. Dispute with each bureau separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dispute results stay on my report?
If an item is removed, it's gone permanently (unless the creditor re-reports it with proof it was accurate). If an item is corrected, the corrected version stays.
Can I dispute accurate negative information?
Technically yes, but it won't be removed if it's accurate. You can only successfully dispute information that is actually wrong.
Will disputing hurt my credit?
No! Disputing errors has ZERO impact on your credit score. It can only help (if the error is removed) or stay the same (if it's not).
How many times can I dispute the same error?
As many times as you have new evidence. But if you keep disputing with no new information, the bureau can label it "frivolous" and stop investigating.
What if the error comes back after being removed?
The creditor might "re-report" it if they have proof it was accurate. If this happens, dispute again and demand proof from the creditor.
Your Action Plan
This Week:
- Get your free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com
- Review all three reports carefully
- Make a list of all errors you find
This Month:
- Gather evidence for each error
- File disputes (online or by mail) with all bureaus showing the error
- Keep copies of everything
In 30-45 Days:
- Review the investigation results
- Check your updated credit report
- If denied, decide whether to re-dispute or file a complaint
Keep Protecting Your Credit
- The Complete Guide to Building Credit in America ← Master credit building
- What Hurts Your Credit Score? ← Avoid common mistakes
- Best Credit Monitoring Apps ← Catch errors early
Have you successfully disputed a credit report error? Share your tips in the comments!
Last Updated: January 2026
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