How to Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report

Finding a mistake on your credit report can be frustrating — especially when the error touches your credit history. The good news: federal law gives you the right to dispute information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete, the process is completely free, and you can do it yourself without paying anyone (FTC). Keep in mind that a dispute is a tool for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information — it is not a way to remove accurate negative information simply because you would prefer it gone.

In this guide, we walk through exactly how to dispute an error on your credit report: what to send, where to send it, how long the investigation takes, and what to do if the error is not fixed. If you have not read your report yet, start with our guide How to Read Your Credit Report — you cannot dispute what you have not found.

Step 1: Dispute the Error With Each Credit Bureau

The first step is to tell the credit reporting company — or companies — that you believe something in your report is wrong. If an error appears on more than one credit report, dispute it with each bureau whose report contains the mistake (FTC).

You can dispute with each bureau online, by phone, or by mail (CFPB):

• Equifax: online at equifax.com/disputes, or by phone at (866) 349-5191
• Experian: online at experian.com/disputes, or by phone at (888) 397-3742
• TransUnion: online at dispute.transunion.com, or by phone at (800) 916-8800

If you dispute by mail

Mailed disputes can feel slow, but they have one advantage: paper records. If you go this route, the FTC recommends sending your letter by certified mail with “return receipt requested,” so you can document what the bureau received and when. Keep copies of your letter and everything you enclose.

Mailing addresses for disputes, per the CFPB and Experian:

• Equifax: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
• Experian: Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
• TransUnion: TransUnion Consumer Solutions, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

Step 2: Also Tell the Company That Reported the Error

Fixing an error generally means contacting two places: the credit bureau and the company that provided the inaccurate information — the “furnisher,” such as a bank or collection agency (CFPB).

When you dispute an item with a bureau, the bureau must forward all the relevant information you provided to that furnisher, and the furnisher must investigate and report the results back (FTC). If the furnisher corrects inaccurate information after your dispute, it must forward the correction to every credit reporting company to which it supplied that information (CFPB). You can also send your dispute directly to the furnisher at the address listed on your credit report (FTC).

What Your Dispute Should Include

Whether you file online or by mail, the CFPB and the FTC recommend that your dispute:

• Identifies each mistake separately, with the account name and number
• States the facts plainly — why you believe the information is wrong
• Requests that the item be removed or corrected
• Includes copies (never originals) of documents that support your position, such as payment records or court documents
• Includes your complete name and address — and if mailing, a copy of your report with the disputed items circled

Sample dispute letter

Here is a simple template you can adapt for a mailed dispute — customize it with the facts of your situation, your report’s reference details, and the exact correction you are requesting:

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

[Credit bureau name and address]

Re: Dispute of inaccurate information — [Account name and account number]

To whom it may concern:

I am writing to dispute the following information on my credit report: [describe the item and why it is inaccurate]. I have enclosed copies of [list your documents] that support my position.

I request that this information be [removed or corrected] to accurately reflect my credit history. Please send me written confirmation of the results of your investigation.

Sincerely, [Your signature] [Your printed name] [Enclosures: list each document]

What Happens After You File

Once your dispute is in, the clock starts:

1. The bureau investigates. The credit bureau generally must investigate within 30 days of receiving your dispute — and in some cases it can take up to 45 days, for example if you send additional relevant information during the investigation window (CFPB).
2. The furnisher investigates. The business that reported the information must review your evidence and report its findings back to the bureau (FTC).
3. You get the results in writing. The bureau must tell you the outcome, generally within five business days of completing the investigation (CFPB). If the dispute results in a change, you get a free copy of your updated report — one that does not count as your free annual report (FTC).
4. Corrections are protected. If an item is deleted, the bureau cannot reinsert it in your file unless the furnisher verifies it is accurate and complete — and if it is reinserted, the bureau must send you written notice with the furnisher’s name, address, and phone number (FTC).

If the Investigation Does Not Fix the Error

Sometimes the bureau concludes the information is accurate, or declares the dispute frivolous and stops investigating — though it must notify you and explain why. If you still believe the information is wrong, you have options:

• Ask that a statement of the dispute be included in your file and in future reports, so future lenders can see your side of it (FTC).
• Send more evidence. A new dispute with additional documents can be appropriate when you have new information.
• Complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint if you believe a bureau or furnisher handled your dispute improperly. Note that for complaints about inaccurate or incomplete information on a consumer report, the law requires you to first dispute the information directly with the credit reporting agency — so complete Step 1 before filing.
• Talk to a professional. If the process stalls or feels overwhelming, that is a good moment to get help reviewing your situation and options.

Special Case: Errors Caused by Identity Theft

If the accounts on your report are not just wrong but are not yours at all, take these steps in addition to disputing:

1. Report it at IdentityTheft.gov — the FTC’s site walks you through recovery and creates an Identity Theft Report you can send to the bureaus.
2. Place an initial fraud alert by contacting any one of the three bureaus; it must notify the other two. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and makes lenders verify your identity before granting new credit (FTC).
3. Consider a credit freeze. A credit freeze restricts prospective creditors’ access to your credit report, helping prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name. It is free to place and lift and does not affect your credit score. You must place it with all three bureaus (FTC).

With an Identity Theft Report, you can ask the bureaus to block identity theft-related debts from your report. One caution from the FTC: use Identity Theft Reports only for debts that actually resulted from identity theft — filing one for debts you owe is against the law.

Key Takeaways

• Dispute each error with each bureau whose report shows it — and also with the company that reported the information (FTC).
• The dispute process is free; companies must investigate your dispute free of charge (CFPB).
• Include copies (not originals) of supporting documents, identify each item separately, and request removal or correction (FTC).
• The bureau generally must investigate within 30 days (45 in some cases) and give you written results — plus a free updated report if anything changes.
• If the fix does not stick, you can add a dispute statement, send stronger evidence, or complain to the CFPB.

---

About the author: Mani Hatami is the founder of Zenith Financial Group and the author of books on credit in both English and Persian, including Credit for New Life. Since 2015, he has shared credit and debt education with the Iranian-American community through his books and radio programs.

Want a second pair of eyes on your credit report? Our team serves the community in English and Persian. Learn about our credit repair services in Los Angeles, or talk with our team.