If you’ve found inaccurate information on your credit report, understanding how to dispute credit report errors can help you request an investigation and correction. Errors can involve accounts that aren’t yours, incorrect balances, inaccurate payment information, or personal information that doesn’t belong to you.
A credit report dispute does not guarantee that information will be removed. Accurate negative information generally cannot be removed simply because you dispute it. However, you have the right to dispute information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
Below, we’ll explain how to dispute credit report errors step by step, what documents you may need, where to submit your dispute, and what can happen after an investigation.
What Is a Credit Report Dispute?
A credit report dispute is a request to investigate information on your consumer credit report that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
You may dispute information with the credit reporting company displaying the information. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also recommends contacting the company that provided the disputed information, sometimes called the furnisher.
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors in 7 Steps
1. Review Your Credit Reports
The first step in learning how to dispute credit report information is identifying exactly what appears to be wrong.
Review your reports carefully for issues involving:
- Accounts you don’t recognize
- Incorrect account balances
- Incorrect payment history
- Duplicate accounts
- Accounts incorrectly reported as open or closed
- Incorrect personal information
- Information that may belong to another consumer
Check each credit report individually because the information reported can differ between credit bureaus.
2. Identify the Exact Information You Want to Dispute
Don’t simply state that your credit report is wrong. Clearly identify the account, balance, payment, date, or other information you believe is inaccurate.
Explain what is incorrect and what you believe the correct information should be.
3. Gather Supporting Documents
Documents can help support a credit report dispute.
Depending on the error, useful records might include:
- Account statements
- Payment confirmations
- Cancelled checks
- Correspondence with the creditor
- Identity theft documentation when applicable
- Other records showing why the reported information is inaccurate
Keep your original documents and provide copies when appropriate.
4. Dispute the Error With the Credit Bureau
You can submit a dispute directly to the credit reporting company showing the inaccurate information.
The three nationwide credit reporting companies are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Your dispute should clearly identify:
- Your contact information
- The specific information being disputed
- Why you believe it is incorrect
- The correction you’re requesting
- Supporting documentation
5. Contact the Company That Reported the Information
You can also dispute inaccurate information with the business that supplied it to the credit bureau.
This may be a:
- Bank
- Credit card issuer
- Lender
- Debt collector
- Other company reporting account information
Clearly explain the error and provide supporting evidence.
6. Wait for the Investigation
After receiving a dispute, a credit reporting company generally must investigate it within the time allowed by federal law. The exact timeline can depend on the circumstances.
The bureau may contact the company that supplied the information and ask it to investigate and verify its reporting.
7. Review the Results
When the investigation is complete, review the results carefully.
If information is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise cannot be verified as required, appropriate corrections may be made.
Check your credit report again to make sure any agreed-upon changes appear correctly.
How to Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report Online
If you’re researching how to dispute credit report online, each of the three nationwide credit bureaus provides an online dispute process.
Before submitting anything, gather your documentation and clearly identify the specific information you’re challenging.
Keep copies or records of what you submit and any confirmation numbers you receive.
Can You Dispute a Credit Report by Mail?
Yes. Consumers can also submit credit report disputes by mail.
A written dispute should clearly identify the inaccurate information, explain why you believe it is wrong, request the appropriate correction, and include copies of relevant supporting documents.
Keep a copy of the complete dispute for your records.
What Credit Report Errors Can You Dispute?
Examples of potentially disputable inaccuracies include:
- An account that doesn’t belong to you
- A payment incorrectly reported as late
- An incorrect account balance
- The same debt appearing multiple times incorrectly
- An account incorrectly listed as open or closed
- Incorrect dates
- Personal information belonging to someone else
Can You Dispute Accurate Negative Information?
A dispute process is intended to correct inaccurate or incomplete information. It is not a legitimate method for removing accurate negative information simply because it lowers a credit score.
Accurate information can generally remain on a credit report for the period permitted under applicable law.
Be cautious of companies promising to remove accurate negative information from your credit history.
How Long Does a Credit Report Dispute Take?
Federal rules establish investigation timelines for consumer disputes, but the exact amount of time can vary depending on the circumstances and whether additional information is provided during the process.
Keep records of when you submitted the dispute and monitor correspondence from the credit bureau.
What Happens After You Dispute a Credit Report?
Several outcomes are possible after an investigation:
- The information may be corrected
- The information may be removed when appropriate
- The information may be updated
- The information may remain if it is verified as accurate
Read the investigation results carefully to understand what action was taken.
What If Your Credit Report Dispute Is Rejected?
If you still believe the information is incorrect after the investigation, review the explanation provided by the credit bureau.
You may consider:
- Providing additional supporting evidence
- Contacting the company furnishing the information
- Submitting another dispute when you have meaningful new information
- Reviewing available consumer complaint options
Avoid repeatedly submitting the same unsupported dispute because a credit bureau may determine certain disputes are frivolous or irrelevant under applicable rules.
Does Disputing a Credit Report Hurt Your Credit Score?
Submitting a legitimate dispute itself is not the same as missing a payment or taking on additional debt.
However, changes resulting from an investigation can potentially affect information used in credit scoring, depending on what is corrected or updated.
Credit Report Dispute vs. Credit Freeze
A credit report dispute and credit freeze serve very different purposes.
| Credit Report Dispute | Credit Freeze |
|---|---|
| Challenges inaccurate or incomplete information | Restricts access to your credit file |
| May lead to correction of reporting errors | Helps prevent certain new accounts from being opened |
| Used after identifying a reporting problem | Often used as an identity theft prevention measure |
Tips for a Successful Credit Report Dispute
When learning how to dispute credit report errors, focus on accuracy and documentation rather than trying to dispute everything on your report.
- Identify the exact error
- Explain clearly why it is inaccurate
- Provide relevant supporting evidence
- Keep copies of everything
- Track submission and response dates
- Review the results carefully
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispute something on my credit report?
Identify the inaccurate information, gather supporting documents, and submit a dispute to the credit reporting company showing the information. You can also contact the company that furnished the disputed information.
Is it free to dispute a credit report?
You do not need to pay a credit repair company simply to exercise your right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report.
Can I dispute multiple errors at once?
You can identify multiple inaccuracies, but clearly document each item and explain why each one is incorrect.
Will a dispute automatically remove an account?
No. Filing a dispute does not automatically remove information. The disputed information is investigated and may remain if it is verified as accurate.
Can I dispute a credit report error myself?
Yes. Consumers can submit their own disputes directly to credit reporting companies without hiring a credit repair service.
Final Answer: How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Learning how to dispute credit report errors starts with carefully reviewing your reports, identifying specific inaccuracies, collecting supporting evidence, and submitting a clear dispute.
Remember that disputes are intended to correct inaccurate or incomplete information—not remove accurate negative information.
For more financial education, explore the Cash In Minutes financial blog.
For official instructions and dispute resources, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
