How to Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report (Step by Step)

Errors on credit reports are more common than most people expect. A wrong balance, a late payment you never made, or an account that belongs to someone else can pull your credit score down and cost you money on every loan you apply for. The good news: the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information, and the credit bureaus are required to investigate.

Here's exactly how the credit report dispute process works, and how to give your dispute the best chance of success.

Step 1: Get all three credit reports

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion each keep their own file on you, and they don't always match. An error might show up on one report and not the others. You can pull all three for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only official site for free reports. Free reports are now available weekly.

Your credit score apps are useful, but they often show only one or two bureaus. When you're preparing a dispute, work from the full reports.

Step 2: Identify what's actually wrong

Go through every section slowly. Common credit report errors include:

• Accounts that aren't yours — often a sign of mixed files or identity theft.
• Incorrect late payments — a payment marked 30, 60 or 90 days late when it was on time.
• Wrong balances or credit limits — which can inflate your credit utilization.
• Duplicate accounts — the same debt listed twice, often once by the original creditor and once by a collection agency, both with a balance.
• Outdated negative items — most negative information must come off after seven years.
• Wrong dates — an incorrect date of first delinquency can keep an item on your report longer than allowed.
• Personal information errors — misspelled names, old addresses or employers that belong to someone else.

Make a list of each item, which bureau it appears on, and why you believe it's inaccurate.

Step 3: Gather your documentation

A dispute backed by proof is much stronger than one that simply says "not mine." Useful documents include bank statements showing a payment cleared, letters from the creditor, payoff confirmations, a police report or FTC identity theft report, and a copy of your ID and proof of address so the bureau can match you to your file.

Step 4: File the dispute with each bureau

You can dispute online, by phone or by mail. Online disputes are fast, but mailing a dispute letter by certified mail gives you a paper trail and room to explain. Whichever you choose, include:

1. Your full name, address and date of birth
2. The account name and number for each item you're disputing
3. A clear explanation of what's wrong and what the correct information is
4. Copies (never originals) of your supporting documents

You can also dispute directly with the company that reported the information (the "furnisher"), such as your bank or card issuer. They're also required to investigate.

Step 5: Wait for the investigation

The bureau generally has 30 days to investigate after receiving your dispute (up to 45 days in some cases, such as when you send more information during the investigation). The bureau forwards your dispute to the furnisher, which must review it and respond. If the information can't be verified, it must be corrected or deleted.

Once the investigation is complete, the bureau must send you the results in writing, along with a free copy of your updated report if anything changed.

Step 6: If your dispute is denied

A "verified" result doesn't always mean the end of the road. You can:

• Send a new dispute with additional documentation.
• Ask the bureau for a description of how it verified the information.
• Dispute directly with the furnisher.
• Add a brief consumer statement to your report explaining the situation.
• File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Should you dispute yourself or get help?

You can dispute credit report errors on your own at no cost. Many people choose professional credit repair because it's time-consuming to review three reports, track deadlines, and send follow-up rounds. At 90 Day Credit Experts, our team reviews all three reports, prepares and sends disputes for inaccurate items, and tracks every response, and our work is backed by a 150-point warranty.

If you're not sure where to start, a free credit assessment will show you which items may be worth disputing. Related reading: how long negative items stay on your credit report.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a credit report dispute take?

Credit bureaus generally have 30 days to investigate a dispute, and up to 45 days in certain situations. You'll receive written results when the investigation is finished.

Does disputing hurt my credit score?

No. Filing a dispute does not lower your credit score. If an inaccurate negative item is corrected or removed, your score may improve.

Can I dispute online?

Yes. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion all accept online disputes. Many people also mail disputes by certified mail to keep a record and include documents.

What happens if the creditor can't verify the information?

If information can't be verified, the bureau must delete or correct it.