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About one in five Americans has an error on at least one of their credit reports, according to the Federal Trade Commission. A single incorrect item can drag your score down 50 to 100 points and cost you thousands of dollars in higher interest rates. The good news: disputing errors is free, and the process is straightforward.
Rates and figures as of May 2026.
Get Your Credit Reports First
You cannot dispute what you have not reviewed. Start at AnnualCreditReport.com — the federally authorized site where all three bureaus are required to provide your free report. You can now request free reports weekly from all three bureaus.
Download and review all three reports separately. An error on one bureau’s report does not automatically appear on the others — you must dispute with each bureau individually.
Common Credit Report Errors to Look For
- Wrong personal information: Misspelled name, old address, incorrect Social Security number — these can mix your file with someone else’s
- Account you do not recognize: Could be a sign of identity theft, a mixed file, or a data entry error
- Late payments that were not late: A payment shown as 30 or 60 days late that you actually made on time
- Incorrect balance or credit limit: The listed balance or limit is wrong, inflating your utilization ratio
- Account listed as open that was closed: Or vice versa
- Same debt listed multiple times: A sold collection account appearing under both the original creditor and the collection agency
- Outdated negative items: Most negative items must be removed after 7 years (Chapter 7 bankruptcy after 10 years)
How to File a Dispute: Step by Step
Step 1: Document the error
Write down exactly what is wrong and collect supporting evidence: bank statements showing on-time payments, a letter from a creditor confirming an account was closed, a police report if the issue is identity theft.
Step 2: File your dispute online or by mail
Each bureau has an online dispute portal:
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute
- Experian: experian.com/disputes/main.html
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-credit
Online disputes are faster. If you mail your dispute, send it certified mail with return receipt requested. Include copies (not originals) of your supporting documents and a clear explanation of what is wrong and why.
Step 3: Wait for the investigation
Bureaus have 30 days to investigate (45 days if you provide additional information during the investigation). The bureau contacts the data furnisher — the lender, creditor, or collection agency that originally reported the item — to verify the information.
Step 4: Review the results
The bureau sends written notification of its decision. If the item was corrected or removed, your report updates automatically. If you are unsatisfied, see the escalation options in the FAQ below.
Disputing Directly with the Data Furnisher
In addition to disputing with the bureau, you can dispute directly with the lender or creditor that reported the information. Under the FCRA, they are required to investigate and correct inaccurate information. This often speeds up resolution. Find the contact information for the furnisher on your credit report.
Identity Theft: Extra Steps
If you see accounts you did not open, immediately:
- File an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov (the FTC’s official site)
- Place a free fraud alert with one bureau (it automatically alerts all three) — free, lasts one year
- Consider a credit freeze at all three bureaus — free, prevents new accounts from being opened in your name
- Dispute the fraudulent accounts with supporting documentation including your FTC identity theft report
What Credit Repair Companies Won’t Tell You
Credit repair companies charge $50 to $150 per month to do exactly what you can do yourself for free. No legitimate company can remove accurate negative information from your report — that is illegal. Avoid any service that guarantees a specific score increase or promises to “erase” your credit history.
Key Takeaways
- Check all three bureau reports at AnnualCreditReport.com — errors on one report do not appear on others
- Common errors: incorrect payment status, accounts you do not recognize, wrong balances, duplicate collections
- Dispute online or by certified mail; bureaus have 30 days to investigate
- You can also dispute directly with the lender or creditor that reported the error
- Credit repair companies cannot do anything you cannot do yourself for free — avoid fee-based services
See also: How to Negotiate Debt Settlement: A Step-by-Step Guide