Why these disputes matter

Errors tied to medical bills and identity theft are common and often hidden. A single wrongly reported medical collection or an account opened in your name can drop your credit score, make loans more expensive, or even derail a job or rental application. In my 15 years working with consumers, I’ve seen simple billing mistakes and identity-fraud accounts take months to correct when the dispute was handled without documentation or the right escalation steps.

This article gives a practical, evidence-first plan you can use today: how to find problems, what documents to gather, how to file disputes with the bureaus and creditors, and what to do if the bureaus don’t fix the report.

The legal backstop and timelines

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report. Credit reporting agencies generally investigate disputes within 30 days of receiving them; complex cases or those with additional documentation can take longer (sometimes up to 45 days). Key consumer resources include the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). See CFPB guidance on disputes and the FTC’s pages on credit report errors for details (cfpb: https://www.consumerfinance.gov, ftc: https://www.ftc.gov).

Note: You can get free copies of your credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com. The Consumer Reporting Agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and federal law provide the rights described here. (Annual Credit Report: https://www.annualcreditreport.com)

Step-by-step dispute workflow

  1. Obtain and review all three reports
  • Order reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and download each bureau’s full report. Look for: unfamiliar account names, accounts with wrong balances or dates, duplicate entries, and medical collection entries you don’t recognize. Don’t assume identical wording across bureaus — errors can appear on one report and not the others.
  1. Categorize the error: medical vs. identity-fraud
  • Medical error: a collection or claim that should be adjusted because of insurance processing, incorrect billing codes, or an already paid balance. Medical collections sometimes appear with the provider’s name or the collection agency’s business name.
  • Identity-fraud error: accounts or inquiries you don’t recognize, accounts opened in your name, or accounts showing addresses you never used. For identity theft, start a formal identity-theft report at IdentityTheft.gov and get a recovery plan and an Identity Theft Report.
  1. Gather evidence before you dispute
  • For medical errors: billing statements, Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurer, payment receipts, provider correspondence showing the account was resolved or billed to insurance.
  • For identity theft: police report (if available), IdentityTheft.gov report, copies of government IDs if accounts list wrong personal data, and letters from creditors stating the account isn’t yours.
  • Always send photocopies or PDFs — never original records.
  1. File a dispute with each credit bureau that lists the error
  • Submit a clear, short description of the error and attach supporting documents. Use the bureau’s online portal for speed, but follow up with a mailed letter (certified mail, return receipt requested) with copies of evidence. Keep a dated log of every call and letter.
  • Provide identifying details: full name, current address, date of birth, and the last four digits of your SSN. Do not include your full SSN in mailed letters unless requested by a verified creditor.
  1. Dispute the furnisher (creditor or collection agency) directly
  • Send the same documentation and written dispute to the company that reported the account. Creditors must investigate and respond to credit bureaus. A direct dispute sometimes yields faster correction.
  1. Track the response and next steps
  • Credit bureaus generally have 30 days to complete an investigation. They should send you the results and a free copy of your report if the dispute results in a change. If the bureau verifies the information, you’ll get an explanation and the name of the source.
  1. If you’re a victim of identity theft, place a fraud alert or credit freeze
  • A fraud alert tells creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before approving new credit. A credit freeze prevents credit bureaus from releasing your credit report to most new creditors. Each has pros and cons—see the CFPB or IdentityTheft.gov for current guidance. You can also add an active duty or extended fraud alert if eligible.

Sample dispute letter (use as a template)

[Today’s Date]

To: [Name of credit bureau — Equifax/Experian/TransUnion]
Re: File ID/Report for [Your Full Name]

I am writing to dispute the following information on my credit report. The item(s) listed below are inaccurate and should be corrected or removed under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Item: [Account name, account number or report line]
Reason: [e.g., “Identity theft — account not mine” or “Medical collection — account paid by insurance”]

Enclosed are copies of documents that support my position: [List documents, e.g., EOB from insurer dated X, proof of payment dated Y, police report number Z].

Please investigate and delete or correct this information. I request written confirmation of the results and a corrected free copy of my credit report if a change is made.

Sincerely,

[Your name, address, phone number, last 4 SSN]

(Keep this letter concise. Attach numbered exhibits and a checklist of what’s included.)

Common obstacles and how to escalate

  • Furnisher verifies the debt: If the creditor insists the account is valid, ask for a copy of the original signed contract or billing records. If they can’t provide reliable proof, you can demand removal under FCRA.
  • Bureaus don’t act: File a complaint with the CFPB (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/) and the FTC, and consider contacting your state attorney general’s consumer protection office.
  • Identity-theft cases: Use the FTC’s IdentityTheft.gov recovery plan to get fraud alerts, dispute templates, and sample letters. A completed Identity Theft Report makes many dispute steps easier and can require bureaus and creditors to remove fraudulent items more quickly.

Special notes about medical collections

  • Medical collections are frequently the result of billing or insurance-processing errors. Collectors and providers sometimes report balances before insurance has fully processed a claim. Gather EOBs and provider statements that show who was responsible for payment at the time.
  • If a medical collection is paid by insurance or paid by you, insist on documentation that the account is settled and submit that to the bureaus and furnisher. Credit bureaus have changed how medical debt is handled in recent years—review current CFPB guidance and any policy updates from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion when you dispute medical collections.

For additional guidance on repairing medical collection entries, see our article on Interpreting Medical Collection Entries on Your Credit Report: Steps to Fix Them.

Internal resource: Interpreting Medical Collection Entries on Your Credit Report: Steps to Fix Them — https://finhelp.io/glossary/interpreting-medical-collection-entries-on-your-credit-report-steps-to-fix-them/

Fraud alerts vs. credit freezes

If identity theft is involved, decide between a fraud alert and a credit freeze:

  • Fraud alert: Easier to place and removes after a set time, but does not block access to your report.
  • Credit freeze: Blocks most new credit inquiries but requires you to lift the freeze when you apply for credit.

Compare options in our explainer Credit Report Freezes vs Fraud Alerts: When to Use Each.

Internal resource: Credit Report Freezes vs Fraud Alerts: When to Use Each — https://finhelp.io/glossary/credit-report-freezes-vs-fraud-alerts-when-to-use-each/

When to get professional help

In most cases you can resolve disputes yourself with clear documentation and persistence. Consider hiring a consumer rights attorney or a certified credit counselor if:

  • A major lender or creditor refuses to correct a provable error.
  • You find widespread fraud affecting many accounts and you need help coordinating police reports, forensic account reviews, or litigation.

In my practice I refer clients to specialized consumer attorneys when a dispute turns into a pattern or when a lender’s verification appears incomplete or falsified.

Records to keep (checklist)

  • Copies of every credit report and dispute outcome
  • All dispute letters and certified mail receipts
  • Copies of EOBs, payment receipts, settlement letters
  • Police report or IdentityTheft.gov report number
  • Notes from phone calls (date, time, agent name, summary)

Final steps and persistent follow-up

If the dispute results in a correction, confirm the change across all three bureaus and check future reports to ensure the item does not reappear. If the bureaus decline your dispute, consider adding a brief (100-word or less) statement of dispute to your file explaining why you disagree. This statement will appear on future reports and can be useful in loan or rental applications.

Sources and further reading

Professional disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not substitute for legal or personalized financial advice. If your dispute involves legal claims, consider consulting a consumer law attorney or a certified credit counselor.

Related reading on FinHelp

(Article prepared by an experienced financial editor. Last reviewed 2025.)