One in five Americans has an error on at least one of their credit reports, according to Federal Trade Commission research. Errors range from minor — a misspelled address — to damaging: an account that does not belong to you, a missed payment that was actually made on time, or a debt that should have aged off. Disputing errors is free, and the process is more straightforward than most people expect.
Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports
You are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com (the only federally authorized source). During and after the pandemic, the bureaus have extended free weekly access, which has continued through 2026. Pull all three reports — errors often appear on one bureau’s report but not the others.
Step 2: Identify the Error
Review each report carefully. Common errors worth disputing:
- Accounts that are not yours (a sign of identity theft or a mixed file with a similarly named person)
- Incorrect payment history — a late payment marked that you paid on time
- Duplicate accounts listed multiple times
- Closed accounts listed as open
- Wrong account balances or credit limits
- Negative items older than seven years (most negative items must be removed after seven years; bankruptcies after ten)
- Incorrect personal information — wrong name, Social Security number, or address
Step 3: File a Dispute with the Credit Bureau
Disputes can be filed online, by mail, or by phone. Online is fastest. Each bureau has a dispute portal:
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
- Experian: experian.com/disputes
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-disputes
For each error, identify the specific item and explain clearly why it is inaccurate. Attach supporting documentation — account statements, payment confirmations, correspondence, or a police report for identity theft cases.
Mail option: Send a certified letter (return receipt requested) to the bureau’s dispute address so you have proof of delivery. Include copies, not originals, of supporting documents.
Step 4: Dispute with the Data Furnisher
The credit bureau investigates disputes by checking with the company that reported the information — the “data furnisher” (your lender, credit card issuer, or debt collector). You can also dispute directly with the furnisher under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Send a separate dispute letter to the furnisher’s address listed on the report. Disputing both the bureau and the furnisher simultaneously strengthens your case.
What Happens After You File
Under the FCRA, the bureau must investigate most disputes within 30 days (or 45 days if you submit additional information during the investigation period). If the bureau cannot verify the disputed information, it must be removed or corrected. You will receive written results of the investigation and a free updated report if a change was made.
If the dispute is verified as accurate, the item remains. Your options at that point:
- Provide additional documentation and re-dispute if you have stronger evidence
- Add a 100-word consumer statement to your report explaining your side of the dispute
- File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) if you believe the bureau handled your dispute improperly
What Disputes Cannot Fix
Legitimate negative information — a real missed payment, a genuine collection account, an actual bankruptcy — cannot be removed simply because you dispute it. Credit repair companies that promise to “erase” accurate negative information are violating federal law. Save your money and wait: most negative items fall off automatically after seven years.