About one in five Americans has an error on their credit report, according to a Federal Trade Commission study. Errors can lower your score, cost you loan approvals, and raise your borrowing costs. The good news: disputing them is free, and the bureaus are required by law to investigate within 30 days.
How to Get Your Free Credit Reports
You are entitled to one free credit report per week from each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com. Pull all three. Errors often appear on one bureau’s report but not the others, and each bureau has its own data.
Common Credit Report Errors to Look For
- Wrong personal information (misspelled name, wrong address, wrong Social Security number)
- Accounts that do not belong to you (could be a mix-up or identity theft)
- Duplicate accounts showing the same debt multiple times
- Closed accounts reported as open
- On-time payments reported as late
- Incorrect balances or credit limits
- Accounts still showing a balance after being paid off or settled
- Old negative items that should have fallen off (most negative items expire after 7 years; bankruptcies after 10)
Step 1: Document the Error
Screenshot or print the report. Circle the error and note the account name, account number, and exactly what is wrong. You will need this when you file your dispute.
Step 2: File a Dispute with the Credit Bureau
You can dispute errors online, by mail, or by phone. Online is fastest. Go directly to the bureau’s website where the error appears:
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/
- Experian: experian.com/disputes/
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-disputes/
Describe the error clearly and upload supporting documents if you have them (payment records, account statements, settlement letters). The bureau will forward your dispute to the company that reported the information.
Step 3: Also Dispute Directly with the Furnisher
The “furnisher” is the bank, lender, or collection agency that reported the data. Disputing directly with them — in addition to the bureau — can speed up the process. Send a written letter via certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
Include:
- Your full name and address
- Account number
- What is incorrect and what the correct information is
- Copies of any supporting documents
Step 4: Wait for the Investigation
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the bureau must investigate within 30 days (45 days if you submitted additional information). You will receive written notification of the results. If the bureau confirms an error, it must correct or delete the item and notify the other bureaus.
Step 5: Follow Up If the Dispute Is Rejected
If the bureau decides the item is accurate and you disagree, you have options:
- Submit additional evidence and re-dispute
- Add a 100-word statement to your credit report explaining your side (lenders can see this)
- File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov
- Consult a consumer protection attorney — FCRA violations can be grounds for legal action
How Much Will Fixing an Error Improve Your Score?
It depends on the error. Removing a false late payment from a five-year-old account might move your score by 20 to 50 points. Removing a collection account or a fraudulent account might move it by 50 to 100 points or more. The impact depends on the severity of the error and your overall credit profile.
Protecting Yourself Going Forward
Check your credit reports at least once a year — more often if you are preparing to apply for a mortgage or major loan. Consider setting a reminder to pull one bureau’s report every four months so you stagger coverage throughout the year. Many banks and credit cards also offer free credit monitoring that alerts you when new accounts or inquiries appear.
Bottom Line
Disputing a credit report error costs nothing and can meaningfully raise your score. Pull your reports, review every line, and dispute anything that looks wrong. The law requires bureaus to take your dispute seriously — use that protection.