How to Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report
A wrong account or payment status on a credit report is worth checking. You can dispute information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete for free; a dispute does not guarantee that the information will be changed. [2] [4]
This guide covers U.S. credit reports and is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Where can you check your credit reports?
The CFPB says you can check reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for free weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review each report for information you do not recognize or believe is wrong. [2]
Who should you contact about an error?
Start with each credit reporting company whose report contains the error. The CFPB also recommends disputing the information with the company that supplied it, known as the furnisher. The CFPB provides contact instructions and sample letters. [4]
What should you include in a dispute?
Identify each item, explain what is wrong and why, and ask for it to be corrected or removed. For a mailed dispute, include your contact details, relevant account information, a copy of the report with the item marked, and copies—not originals—of supporting documents. Keep copies of what you send. Certified mail with a return receipt can give you a record of delivery. [4]
How long does an investigation take?
A credit reporting company generally must investigate within 30 days of receiving a dispute, though the CFPB identifies cases where it may take up to 45 days. The company has five business days after completing its investigation to notify you of the results. [3] A company may decline to investigate a dispute it reasonably determines is frivolous or irrelevant, such as one without enough information, and must notify you of that decision. [4]
What if you disagree with the result?
Review the response and your supporting records. If the furnisher concludes the information is accurate, the CFPB says you can ask the credit reporting companies to include a statement explaining your dispute. You can also submit a complaint to the CFPB. [4]