Credit Reports and Scores: Fixing Errors on Your Business Credit Report

Introduction

A clean business credit report matters when you apply for loans, vendor terms, insurance, or favorable trade credit. Business credit reports are compiled by agencies such as Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business; errors on those reports — from incorrect balances to mixed files — can reduce your business’s access to capital or increase costs. This guide walks through how to find, document, dispute, and prevent errors on your business credit report, with practical steps, a sample dispute letter, expected timelines, and authoritative resources. (Sources: CFPB, FTC, Experian, Dun & Bradstreet.)

Why business credit errors happen

Common causes of errors on business credit reports include:

• Incorrect company details (name variations, old addresses, or EIN/SSN mix-ups).
• Duplicate accounts or multiple listings for the same debt.
• Misreported payment history (late payments recorded in error).
• Mixed files that combine records from similarly named businesses.
• Public record mistakes (tax liens, judgments incorrectly attributed).
• Data entry or transmission errors from lenders to the reporting agency.

Because business reporting is less uniformly regulated than consumer credit reporting, errors can persist unless the business owner actively pursues correction. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains differences between consumer and business reporting and recommends direct disputes with the relevant business bureau or data furnisher when necessary (CFPB, 2024).

Step-by-step: How to find and fix errors

1) Obtain your business credit reports regularly

• Request your business credit report from the major providers: Dun & Bradstreet (request via D&B’s website), Experian Business, and Equifax Business. Some bureaus provide a free report; others offer paid services or free limited access. See our primer on Business Credit Reports: What Lenders See and How to Improve Them for details on what to expect in each report.

2) Review the report line-by-line

• Check company legal name, DBA names, addresses, phone numbers, and Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Confirm account details: creditor name, account number, opening and closing dates, highest balance, current balance, and payment history.
• Look for duplicate listings, inconsistent balances, or entries that don’t belong to your business.

3) Identify the data furnisher

• For each disputed item, note who supplied the data (the lender, card issuer, or court). Disputes often require contacting both the bureau and the original furnisher.

4) Gather supporting documentation

• Collect invoices, canceled checks, bank statements, account statements, payoff letters, UCC filings, and court documents proving your claim.
• Save screenshots and PDFs of online account histories and correspondence with creditors.

5) File a dispute with the reporting agency

• Use the business bureau’s online dispute portal when available (Dun & Bradstreet offers a file-review process; Experian and Equifax have business dispute pages). Provide a concise explanation and attach evidence.
• If you prefer paper, send a dispute letter by certified mail with return receipt to create a verifiable record.
• Include: company name and identifier (EIN or DUNS), the specific item(s) in dispute, why the entry is wrong, and the supporting documents.

6) Notify the data furnisher directly

• Contact the creditor or the original data sender and ask them to correct their records and resubmit accurate data to the bureaus. A correction from the furnisher often resolves the issue faster than a bureau-only dispute.

7) Track the dispute and follow up

• Keep a dispute log (dates, contacts, reference numbers). Most providers will respond within their published timeframes; if you don’t hear back, follow up and escalate as needed.

Typical timelines and outcomes

• Dun & Bradstreet: D&B’s file-review and dispute handling often takes about 30 calendar days after receipt of required documentation, though timelines can vary with case complexity (Dun & Bradstreet Help Center).
• Experian/Equifax (business units): Response times commonly range from 30 to 45 days depending on the inquiry and need for furnisher verification.

Note: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires consumer bureaus to investigate consumer disputes within 30 days. For strictly business-only reports, these legal protections are more limited; however, many business bureaus maintain similar timelines and processes. If your records are mixed with consumer data (e.g., sole proprietor using SSN), some consumer-level protections may apply. (See FTC guidance on credit reporting.)

Sample dispute letter (use as a template)

[Your Company Letterhead]
[Date]

To: [Name of Business Credit Bureau]
Re: Dispute of Inaccurate Information — [Company Name], EIN: [xx-xxxxxxx], DUNS: [if applicable]

I am writing to dispute the following inaccurate item(s) on my company’s credit report dated [report date]:

• Item: [Creditor name, account number or reference]
• Error: [e.g., reported late payment on 03/2024; account closed as paid on 01/15/2024]
• Correction requested: [specific correction you seek]

Attached are copies of documents supporting my dispute: [list documents — invoices, bank statements, payoff letter, etc.]. Please investigate and correct the records with all nationwide consumer and business credit reporting agencies that received the inaccurate information.

Sincerely,
[Owner/Authorized Agent Name]
[Title]
[Contact information]

What to do if a dispute is denied or unresolved

• Ask for a detailed explanation. Request documentation the bureau used to verify the item.
• Contact the original furnisher again and demand a correction; share your dispute outcome and supporting evidence.
• If you suspect identity theft or fraud, file a police report and submit identity-theft affidavits as required by the bureau.
• Consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state Attorney General if you believe the bureau or furnisher failed to investigate in good faith. The CFPB accepts complaints about credit reporting and furnisher practices (cfpb.gov).
• In complex or material matters (large loans denied, significant reputation harm), consult a consumer/business attorney to evaluate legal remedies.

Preventing future errors

• Keep business registration, EIN, and DBA details consistent across all vendor, lender, and government filings.
• Use a separate business credit profile and avoid using your personal SSN for business debts when possible (use EINs and business accounts).
• Set up vendor trade accounts that report positive payment history to the bureaus to build a stronger, accurate profile.
• Monitor reports at least annually and before applying for new financing. See our guide to Business Credit Score for how scores are calculated and what lenders look for.

Special cases: mixed files, duplicates, and public records

• Mixed files: If your business file is mixed with another company, document distinguishing details (state of formation, EIN, addresses) and request a split from the bureau. Provide formation documents and tax filings if needed.
• Duplicate accounts: Identify and request consolidation or deletion of duplicates; attach account statements showing the single original account.
• Public records errors: For tax liens or judgments listed incorrectly, obtain certified court records or a Certificate of Disposition and request removal or correction.

Professional tips from practice

• I recommend documenting and dating every contact (I’ve had clients win disputes by showing repeated, documented requests to a furnisher). Certified mail receipts and email threads are compelling evidence.
• If you plan to apply for credit, start disputes 60–90 days ahead of the application to leave time for resolution and rescoring.
• Use industry-specific lenders’ reporting behavior as part of your strategy—some lenders report more frequently or with more detail; forming relationships with repeat lenders who report accurately can help maintain a cleaner profile.

When to hire help

• Hire a reputable business credit consultant or attorney when errors are complex (mixed files involving multiple firms, large false judgments, or suspected deliberate misreporting).
• Beware of companies that promise guaranteed results for a fee; reputable professionals will explain realistic outcomes and the documentation required.

Authoritative resources

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Credit Reports and Scores: https://www.consumerfinance.gov (search “business credit reports”)
• Federal Trade Commission — Credit Reporting: https://www.ftc.gov
• Dun & Bradstreet — File Review and Dispute Resources: https://www.dnb.com
• Experian Business — Business Credit Dispute Information: https://www.experian.com/business

Internal resources on FinHelp.io

• Business Credit Reports: What Lenders See and How to Improve Them: https://finhelp.io/glossary/business-credit-reports-what-lenders-see-and-how-to-improve-them/
• Business Credit Score: https://finhelp.io/glossary/business-credit-score/
• Dispute Credit Report: https://finhelp.io/glossary/dispute-credit-report/

Disclaimer

This article is educational and reflects common practices and regulatory guidance as of 2025. It is not legal or financial advice for your specific situation. For personalized help, consult a qualified attorney or certified financial professional.

Bottom line

Fixing errors on your business credit report is a process of careful review, documentation, and persistent follow-up with both the reporting agency and the original data furnisher. With organized records and timely action, most inaccuracies can be corrected — restoring access to capital and protecting your company’s financial reputation.