One in five Americans has an error on at least one of their credit reports, according to the FTC. These errors can lower your credit score and cost you money in the form of higher interest rates. The good news: you have the legal right to dispute errors, and the process is free. Here is how to do it in 2026.
Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports
You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — every 12 months (and as frequently as weekly in recent years through AnnualCreditReport.com).
Go to AnnualCreditReport.com — the only officially authorized site — to request your reports. Download and save all three, since errors may appear on one bureau’s report but not others.
Step 2: Review Each Report Carefully
Look for these common types of errors:
- Wrong personal information: Misspelled name, wrong address, or an incorrect Social Security number.
- Accounts that are not yours: This can result from identity theft, a mixed file (your information confused with someone else’s), or data entry errors.
- Incorrect account status: An account reported as late when you paid on time, or reported as in collections when it was settled.
- Duplicate accounts: The same debt listed twice.
- Wrong balance or credit limit: A higher reported balance or lower credit limit than your actual account shows.
- Outdated negative information: Most negative items (late payments, collections) must be removed after 7 years. Bankruptcy after 10 years. If older items are still showing, that is an error.
Step 3: Gather Documentation
Before you file a dispute, collect evidence that supports your claim. This might include:
- Bank statements showing on-time payments
- A settlement letter showing a debt was resolved
- A letter from a creditor confirming the account is not yours
- A police report if identity theft is involved
The stronger your documentation, the faster and more likely your dispute is to succeed.
Step 4: File a Dispute With the Credit Bureau
You can dispute errors online, by mail, or by phone. Online is the fastest method. Here is where to go:
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute
- Experian: experian.com/disputes
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-disputes
Clearly identify the item you are disputing, explain why it is wrong, and upload your supporting documents. The bureau is required by law (under the Fair Credit Reporting Act) to investigate your dispute within 30 days.
Step 5: Also Dispute With the Furnisher
The “furnisher” is the company that reported the information to the bureau — the bank, lender, or collection agency. You can dispute directly with them as well, which can sometimes resolve things faster.
Write or call the furnisher’s customer service department. Give them the account number, explain the error, and include copies of supporting documents. They are required to investigate and report any corrections back to the credit bureaus.
What Happens After You Dispute
The credit bureau must investigate your claim within 30 days (21 days in some cases). They will contact the furnisher to verify the information. If the furnisher cannot verify the item or confirms your version is correct, the bureau must update or remove the item.
You will receive a written notice of the results. If the dispute is resolved in your favor, the bureau will send you a free updated copy of your credit report. If your score improves significantly, the bureau is required to notify any lenders who recently pulled your report.
What If Your Dispute Is Rejected?
If the bureau “verifies” the information and does not remove it, you have options:
- Add a statement of dispute (up to 100 words) to your credit report explaining your position
- File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov/complaint
- Consult a consumer protection attorney — if the bureau or furnisher violated the FCRA, you may have legal remedies including damages
Bottom Line
Checking your credit reports regularly and disputing any errors is one of the most financially valuable things you can do for free. A single error removed can boost your score by 20 to 100+ points, which can mean better interest rates on loans, credit cards, and mortgages. Set a reminder to check your reports at least once per year.