Disputing Errors on Your Credit Report: Evidence and Timelines

Quick overview

Disputing errors on your credit report is a formal process that asks the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and sometimes the original creditor to re-check reported information. In my 15 years advising consumers, timely, well-documented disputes often resolve issues faster and more completely than informal phone calls. This article explains what evidence matters, the legal timelines, step-by-step actions, sample language for a dispute letter, and options when a dispute fails.

Why disputing errors matters

Even a single incorrect late payment, an account that isn’t yours, or a duplicated debt can lower a credit score, increase mortgage or auto loan rates, and cost thousands over the life of a loan. Correcting inaccuracies restores accuracy and can improve your score enough to change loan offers or lower insurance premiums.

(Authoritative sources: Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681i); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.)

Who to send a dispute to

• Credit reporting agencies (CRAs): Experian, Equifax, TransUnion. Each bureau maintains its own file and must investigate disputes provided to them.
• Furnishers: the creditor, collection agency, or other company that supplied the information to the bureau. Furnishers must investigate disputes they receive and report results back to CRAs.
• For identity-theft items, consider filing a police report and an identity-theft affidavit with the FTC before disputing.

Send disputes to both the CRA and the furnisher when possible — the law covers both routes and duplication increases the chance the error is corrected.

What evidence to gather (organized, practical list)

Good evidence is the single most important factor that moves a dispute to success. Collect copies (never mail originals) and keep a digital backup:

• Account statements showing correct balance or payment dates (bank statements, credit card statements).
• Payment receipts, canceled checks, or proof of electronic payments (transaction IDs).
• Correspondence with the creditor showing agreed payment plans, settlements, or error acknowledgments.
• Billing statements that demonstrate the account belongs to someone else (name, address discrepancies).
• Identity documents if the issue is mistaken identity (government ID, utility bill showing address).
• Police reports or FTC identity-theft reports when accounts were opened fraudulently.
• Letters from the creditor or collection agency that contradict the bureau’s information.
• Account opening paperwork or account number history to show duplication or incorrect reporting.

Organize supporting pages with tabs or a brief index so an investigator can follow your claim quickly.

Step-by-step dispute process (recommended workflow)

1. Obtain your reports: Get free current reports at AnnualCreditReport.gov or directly from each bureau. Review all three for inconsistencies (soft vs. hard inquiries differ across reports).
2. Identify and annotate errors: Mark the account name, account number, and the specific item(s) in error (e.g., date of last activity, balance, status).
3. Build your packet: Short cover letter, copy of the relevant page from the credit report, and evidence copies. Include a clear request (delete, correct, or verify) and the reason.
4. Submit disputes: Use the CRA’s online portal for speed (links at Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and mail a paper dispute by certified mail with return receipt for proof. Also send a copy to the furnisher.
5. Track correspondence: Log dates, contact names, and confirmation numbers. Keep scanned copies of everything you send.
6. Wait for the investigation: CRAs normally have 30 days to investigate once they receive your dispute. They can extend to 45 days if you provide additional documentation during the first 30 days. (See FCRA § 1681i.)
7. Review results: The CRA must provide the results in writing and a free copy of your credit report if the dispute results in a change.
8. If the item remains: You can add a 100-word (approx.) statement of dispute to your report; escalate to CFPB; and consider legal options.

Timelines (what to expect and why they matter)

• Standard CRA investigation: 30 calendar days from receipt of your dispute. If you included supporting documentation, the 30-day clock still applies; but if you provide additional relevant info after the dispute, CRAs may extend to 45 days.
• Furnisher response: Furnishers must investigate and respond to CRAs. The timeliness is tied to the CRA’s investigation schedule.
• Correction posting: If an item is deleted or corrected, CRAs are required to notify anyone who received the incorrect report in the last six months for employment purposes and two years for most other uses. Practically, corrected information should propagate to lenders within a billing cycle but may take 30–60 days to show everywhere.

Note: These timelines reflect the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681i) and CFPB guidance as of 2025. Always check the bureau pages and CFPB for updates.

Sample dispute letter (short) — adapt to your situation

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

Subject: Credit report dispute — [Bureau name] — File: [Report page reference]

To whom it may concern:

I dispute the following information on my credit report. The entry appears under [Name of creditor], account number [xxxx]. The item is incorrect because [one-sentence reason: e.g., “I paid on time and the account shows a 60-day late payment on 05/01/2024”].

Please investigate and remove or correct the item. I have enclosed copies of [list evidence] that prove my position. Please send me written results of your investigation and a free copy of my updated credit report.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed name]
[Date of birth]
[Last 4 digits of SSN]

Keep the letter concise. Attach a one-page index describing each document you provide.

If the dispute is denied or unresolved

• Add a statement of dispute: You can add a brief statement to your credit file describing your position. This statement travels with your report.
• File a complaint with the CFPB: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints about credit-reporting problems and can help pressure bureaus to act. (consumerfinance.gov)
• Escalate to furnisher: Send a certified follow-up to the creditor with your evidence and insist they correct their reporting.
• Consider legal remedies: Under FCRA you may sue for willful or negligent noncompliance. Talk to a consumer attorney if you suspect repeated or reckless reporting errors.
• Identity theft: If the account is the result of fraud, file an identity theft report with the FTC (identitytheft.gov) and consider a credit freeze and fraud alert.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending vague disputes without evidence. The CRA will forward your dispute to the furnisher; if the furnisher has contradictory documentation, your claim may be denied.
• Not disputing with every bureau. An error might appear on only one bureaus’ file—dispute all affected reports.
• Mailing originals. Always send copies and keep originals safe.
• Waiting to act. Errors can affect major credit events; checking reports annually or before big purchases is important.

Practical tips from my practice

• Start with the report itself: Make a one-page summary for each disputed item that lays out the date, account number, the exact error, and the evidence. Investigators are human—clear, short packets cut response time.
• Use certified mail for legal proof and online portals for speed. I advise clients to do both if the issue could affect an imminent loan closing.
• Time your disputes: If you’re applying for a mortgage or auto loan in the next 30–60 days, begin disputes early and keep lenders informed with corrected documentation.

Related resources

• For help disputing collections specifically, see our guide: How to Dispute Inaccurate Bank Account Collections on Your Credit Report.
• If you need a walkthrough of the report itself, read: How to Read Your Credit Report: Accounts, Inquiries, and Errors.
• For fraud-specific steps such as freezes and alerts, see: Credit Report Freezes vs Fraud Alerts: When to Use Each.

When to get professional help

If repeated disputes fail or you uncover evidence of systemic reporting problems, consult a qualified consumer attorney or a certified credit counselor. In my experience, legal help is warranted when a furnisher repeatedly ignores clear documentary proof or when identity theft is extensive.

Final checklist before you send a dispute

• Copy the credit-report page and highlight the exact line to dispute.
• Include a clear, one-sentence request (delete, correct, or verify).
• Attach supporting documents with a one-page index.
• Send via online portal and certified mail; keep tracking and return receipts.
• Save all responses and the updated report if the file is corrected.

Professional disclaimer: This article is educational and not individualized legal or financial advice. For guidance tailored to your situation, consult a qualified financial advisor, consumer law attorney, or credit counselor. The procedural timelines and rights described reflect the Fair Credit Reporting Act and CFPB guidance current as of 2025; check primary sources for the latest changes.

Authoritative sources and further reading: FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681i); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov); AnnualCreditReport.gov; Experian, Equifax, TransUnion dispute pages.