Disputing Credit Report Errors: Step-by-Step

Why you should dispute credit report errors

Errors on a credit report—wrong balances, incorrectly reported late payments, mixed files, or accounts that aren’t yours—can lower your credit score, increase the cost of borrowing, and even block opportunities like renting an apartment or getting a job. In my practice helping clients for more than 15 years, I routinely see 20–50 point score swings after resolving clear inaccuracies.

Federal law gives you the right to challenge errors and forces both credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and data furnishers (creditors, collection agencies) to investigate disputes. See CFPB guidance on disputes for the latest procedures (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/credit-reports/disputes/).

Quick, at-a-glance step-by-step

1. Order and review all three credit reports (AnnualCreditReport.com).
2. Mark every inaccuracy and gather supporting documents.
3. File disputes with each credit bureau that shows the error (online, by mail, or phone).
4. Wait for investigation results (typically 30 days; can be 45 with added evidence).
5. If not fixed, dispute with the furnisher and consider escalation (CFPB complaint, state AG, small claims).

Step 1 — Get the right reports and read them carefully

• Request your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com (the only FTC-authorized source).
• Review each section: personal information, accounts, public records, and inquiries.
• Note: an item on one bureau might not appear on another. Dispute with each bureau that lists the error.

Related reading: learn how to read a modern report in detail from our guide on Reading Modern Credit Reports: Sections, Codes, and Red Flags (https://finhelp.io/glossary/reading-modern-credit-reports-sections-codes-and-red-flags/).

Step 2 — Gather supporting evidence

Collect clear, dated documents that disprove or explain the entry. Common useful documents:

• Payment records, canceled checks, bank statements showing on-time payments.
• Account statements showing a zero balance or incorrect creditor name.
• Settlement letters or payoff confirmations.
• Identity documents if the issue is a mixed file (driver’s license, Social Security card) and proof of address.
• Police report or identity-theft affidavit if you suspect fraud.

Tip: scan or take clear photos; name each file (e.g., “AcmeBankpaymentApr2024.pdf”).

Step 3 — File the dispute (how and what to say)

You can dispute online, by phone, or by mail. Mail gives you the strongest paper trail; online is faster. Use certified mail with return receipt when mailing.

For each bureau:

• Equifax: dispute via myEquifax or mail. URL at Equifax.com.
• Experian: dispute via Experian.com/dispute or mail.
• TransUnion: dispute via TransUnion.com/credit-disputes or mail.

What to include in a mailed dispute:

• Your full name, current address, and a copy of a government ID (front/last 4 of SSN if requested).
• A clear statement identifying the item (account number, name of creditor, and the error).
• A short explanation of why it’s wrong and what you want (e.g., remove the late payment).
• A list of attached documents that support your claim.
• A request for a written statement of the investigation outcome.

Sample dispute letter (mail template):

[Your name]
[Your address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date]

Credit Bureau Name
Dispute Department
[Address of bureau]

Re: Dispute of credit reporting (Account: [account number])

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to dispute an item on my credit report. The following item is inaccurate:

• Creditor: [Creditor name]
• Account number: [last 4 digits or account number]
• Reported issue: [e.g., late payment on 03/2024]

This item is inaccurate because: [brief one-line reason]. Attached are copies of documents that verify my position: [list attachments].

Please investigate and correct or remove the inaccurate information under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Please send me a copy of any revised credit report and the results of your investigation in writing.

Sincerely,

[Your signature]
[Printed name]

Attach: [list of evidence files]

Step 4 — Investigation timeline and what to expect

• Credit bureaus generally must investigate and respond within 30 days of receiving your dispute. If you provide additional relevant information during that period, they may extend the investigation to 45 days (CFPB guidance).
• The bureau will contact the furnisher to verify the information. If the furnisher cannot verify it, the bureau must delete or correct the item.
• If the bureau changes your report, it must provide you with a free copy of the updated report and notify anyone who received the erroneous information in the prior six months (or two years for employment purposes).

Authoritative references: Federal Trade Commission and CFPB pages on consumer rights (https://www.ftc.gov/, https://www.consumerfinance.gov/).

Step 5 — If the dispute is resolved: confirm and document

• Verify the change on all three credit reports.
• Save the bureau’s investigation results and the updated report.
• If the furnisher corrected its records, ask for a written confirmation or settlement letter.

Step 6 — If the dispute is not resolved: next steps

If the bureau or furnisher upholds the item:

• Request a statement of dispute to be added to your credit report (a brief consumer statement explaining your position).
• Send a dispute directly to the furnisher (the lender or collection agency) with the same documentation and a request for correction.
• File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/) and your state attorney general.
• Consider a demand for verification in writing, and if necessary, consult a consumer law attorney about sending a demand letter under the FCRA or pursuing small claims court for statutory damages if there was reckless or willful noncompliance.

If identity theft is involved, follow the identity-theft process immediately: place a fraud alert or credit freeze, file an identity-theft report at IdentityTheft.gov, and follow the steps to remove fraudulent accounts. See our guide on Correcting Identity Theft Entries on Your Credit Report (https://finhelp.io/glossary/correcting-identity-theft-entries-on-your-credit-report/).

Special cases and common errors

• Mixed files (someone else’s account appears on your report): gather ID, proof of address, and file both disputes and an identity-theft report if appropriate.
• Paid or settled debts still showing as unpaid: attach payoff letters or bank records showing payment.
• Duplicate accounts: note account numbers and ask the bureau to remove the duplicate.
• Medical collections: verify with the healthcare provider and request itemized billing—medical errors are common and often resolvable (see our guide on Removing Medical Collections from Your Credit Report at https://finhelp.io/glossary/removing-medical-collections-from-your-credit-report/).

Also review: When and How Collections Drop Off Your Credit Report (https://finhelp.io/glossary/when-and-how-collections-drop-off-your-credit-report/).

Evidence checklist (handy printout)

• Copy of the credit report page with the error circled.
• Payment proof (cleared check, transaction history).
• Correspondence with creditor (emails, letters).
• Settlement or payoff statements.
• Identity documents (if mixed file).
• Certified mail receipts and a log of phone calls (date/time, person spoken to).

Recordkeeping tip: keep everything for at least two years; longer if you anticipate legal action.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting too long: disputing early prevents scored harm and preserves evidence.
• Providing unnecessary personal data: only include necessary identity verification (ID and last 4 of SSN) — never send your full SSN by unsecured email.
• Being vague: state specifically which statement is wrong, why, and what correction you want.
• Forgetting to dispute with the furnisher: bureaus rely on furnishers for verification; disputing both improves results.

Professional tips from practice

• Use certified mail and keep return receipts — judges and regulators treat this documentation seriously.
• If a creditor agrees to remove an error after negotiation, get the agreement in writing and request that they notify all three bureaus.
• For complex disputes or a pattern of unresolved errors, a short consultation with a consumer-rights attorney can be cost-effective.

When to escalate beyond disputes

• Repeated, uncorrected errors after clear evidence may be a violation of the FCRA. Options include: CFPB complaint, state attorney general, or filing a private lawsuit under the FCRA for willful or negligent violation.
• For identity theft, follow FTC/IdentityTheft.gov instructions and consider police reports and credit freezes.

Final checklist before you submit a dispute

• Confirm the item exactly matches what’s on the report (name, account number, date).
• Include only supporting documents that directly prove your claim.
• Keep copies of everything and track dates.
• If mailing, send via certified mail with return receipt.

Professional disclaimer

This article is educational and does not constitute legal or financial advice tailored to your situation. For legal questions or complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney or a certified credit counselor. The rules summarized here are current as of 2025 but may change; consult the CFPB and FTC for updates (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/, https://www.ftc.gov/).

Authoritative sources

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Disputes: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/credit-reports/disputes/
• Federal Trade Commission — Credit Reports and Scores: https://www.ftc.gov/
• AnnualCreditReport.com — Free report portal: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/

Related FinHelp.io resources:

• Reading Modern Credit Reports: Sections, Codes, and Red Flags (https://finhelp.io/glossary/reading-modern-credit-reports-sections-codes-and-red-flags/)
• Correcting Identity Theft Entries on Your Credit Report (https://finhelp.io/glossary/correcting-identity-theft-entries-on-your-credit-report/)
• Removing Medical Collections from Your Credit Report (https://finhelp.io/glossary/removing-medical-collections-from-your-credit-report/)