You can dispute errors directly with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for free. A bureau generally must finish its investigation within 30 days, or 45 days in some cases, and send you the results in writing.
- Disputing is free, and you can do it yourself.
- Bureaus generally have 30 days to investigate.
- You can also dispute directly with the company that reported the information.
Step by step
- Get all three reports from AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Mark each specific error and gather supporting documents, such as statements, payment confirmations or letters.
- Dispute with each bureau that shows the error, online, by mail or by phone. Say which item is wrong, why, and how it should be corrected. If you mail it, use certified mail and keep copies.
- You may also dispute directly with the creditor or collector that furnished the information.
- Wait for the results. The bureau must notify the furnisher within five business days and send you the results within five business days of finishing, with a free updated report if anything changed.
If you disagree with the result
- Dispute again with new evidence the bureau has not seen.
- Add a brief statement of up to 100 words to your file explaining the dispute.
- Submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
What disputes cannot do
Disputes are for information that is inaccurate, incomplete or cannot be verified. Accurate, verifiable information may legally remain. A bureau can also dismiss a dispute it considers frivolous, for example one that repeats an earlier dispute without new information.
Frequently asked questions
Will disputing lower my score?
No. Filing a dispute does not lower your credit score.
Online or by mail?
Either works. Mail makes it easier to attach evidence and keep a record of exactly what you sent.
Sources
- CFPB — How do I dispute an error on my credit report?
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681i — FCRA: dispute investigations
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2 — FCRA: duties of furnishers
- CFPB — Submit a complaint
- AnnualCreditReport.com — official site for free credit reports
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws and lender practices change; check the official sources above for current details.
Accurate, verifiable records may legally remain. We do not guarantee removal or any specific score. You may also dispute errors directly with the credit bureaus for free.
