Quick Answer
Dispute credit report errors through a multi-step process that requires you to access a copy of your credit report, clearly mark errors, draft a dispute letter referencing the errors and providing a basis for disputing them, providing copies of supporting documents, requesting the information be removed, tracking the timing of the credit bureau’s response, and working with a lawyer, if needed.
What Types of Credit Report Errors Can You Dispute?
All types of credit report errors can be disputed. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to an accurate credit report and the right to dispute any information that is inaccurate, misleading, incomplete, false, or unreportable.
Examples of Credit Report Errors You Can Dispute
- Erroneous personal details (name, address, or Social Security number)
- Accounts, debts, loans, or other information that belong to other consumers
- Incorrect account balances
- Payment history errors
- Duplicate entries
- Incorrect collection accounts
- Outdated negative information that should no longer be reported
- Accounts resulting from identity theft
- Incorrectly reported public records, (e.g. bankruptcies)
- False deceased reporting (incorrectly flagged as having died)
These errors can negatively impact your credit report and credit score, and can be disputed.
How Do You Get a Copy of Your Credit Report?
Consumers can request credit reports directly from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) or visit annualcreditreport.com for free copies of all three.
Checking your credit report regularly can help you identify mistakes before they cause larger financial problems. Before filing a dispute, you should get a copy of your credit reports and review them carefully.
What Should You Look for Before Filing a Dispute?
Before filing a dispute, you should review your credit reports for any information that is inaccurate, misleading, incomplete, false, or unreportable. Look for accounts you do not recognize, wrong account balances, inaccurate payment histories, duplicate entries, false deceased markers, collection accounts that appear unfamiliar, errors with account holders or authorized users, and errors in your name, addresses, date of birth, and other identifying information.
How Do You File a Credit Report Dispute Step-by-Step?
Filing a credit report dispute involves identifying errors, gathering supporting documentation, and submitting your dispute to the appropriate credit bureau.
The Steps to File a Credit Report Dispute
- Review your credit report and identify inaccurate, false, misleading, incomplete, or unreportable information
- Clearly mark all errors on your report
- Gather documents that support your position for each error
- Prepare a dispute letter with clear explanations of the errors
- Submit your dispute to the appropriate credit bureau, in writing through certified mail
- Keep copies of all documents, communications, and mailing receipts
- Track the investigation (they have 30 days to repsond) and review the results once completed
- Consider seeking legal help if your dispute is ignored, the error is not corrected, the error returns, the information is falsely verified as accurate by the credit bureau, the investigation is inadequate, or the error caused you harm.
Providing clear information and supporting evidence helps the investigation proceed more efficiently.
What Documents Should You Include in Your Dispute?
The documents you include will depend on the type of error you’re disputing. The goal is to provide information that helps verify your position.
Supporting documents may include:
- bank statements
- loan records
- payment confirmations
- billing statements
- identity theft reports
- court documents
- correspondence from creditors
- identification documents
- collections documents
- agency letters
You should send copies rather than original documents and keep records of everything submitted.
How Long Does a Credit Report Dispute Take?
A credit report dispute should take 30 days to resolve (45 in certain situations). However, the process may take longer if additional documentation is needed, the dispute involves complex issues that require further investigation, or the credit bureau fails to adequately investigate and respond.
What Happens After You File a Dispute?
After you file a dispute, the credit bureau begins an investigation. During this process, the disputed information is reviewed and confirmed with the company that sent the information to the credit bureau.
If the information cannot be verified or is found to be inaccurate, it should be corrected or removed from your credit report. If the information is verified as accurate, it may remain on your report. Consumers should be notified of the results once the investigation is complete.
If inaccurate information remains on your credit report after the dispute process, you should consult a credit report error lawyer to discuss your legal options.
What If the Credit Bureau Rejects Your Dispute?
If your dispute is rejected, review the explanation and gather any additional evidence that supports your claim. You may also dispute the information directly with the company that reported it to the credit bureau. If the error is still not corrected, you can continue to dispute it or consult with a lawyer.
What Are Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives consumers powerful rights including the right to:
- Review your credit reports
- Dispute erroneous information
- Request an investigation of disputed items
- Have incorrect information fixed or removed with 30 days
- Receive notice of dispute results
The FCRA also requires the credit bureaus and information furnishers to follow procedures designed to promote accurate reporting.
Can You Sue for Credit Report Errors?
Yes. In many circumstances, consumers may sue for credit report errors - when reporting agencies fail to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
When to sue for credit report errors
The need for a lawsuit may arise when a dispute is ignored, inaccurate information remains on a credit report after a proper dispute, when required investigations are not conducted, or when the errors caused harm.
Whether a lawsuit is appropriate depends on the specific facts of the situation in light of the relevant law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to dispute a credit report error?
Yes. Consumers generally can dispute credit report errors without paying a fee. However, if you dispute through certified mail (as recommended), you will pay for postage. You can also work with a credit report lawyer for no out of pocket or upfront fee.
Can you dispute errors with all three credit bureaus at once?
Yes. However, if the same error appears on multiple credit reports, the first credit bureau to receive your dispute is supposed to notify the other credit bureaus. Technically, this means you do not have to dispute the same error with all three bureaus, but you may wish to do so anyway. You should monitor all three credit reports for updated information.
Will disputing errors hurt your credit score?
No. Filing disputes should not lower your credit score. The outcome of the dispute may affect your score if errors are corrected or removed.
Can you dispute the same error more than once?
Yes. Additional disputes may be appropriate if new information or supporting documentation becomes available or if the credit bureau does not correct the error after your initial dispute. However, you are not obligated to keep disputing the same error if the credit bureau is not properly addressing, investigating, and correcting it. You can talk to a lawyer and file a lawsuit.
What happens if the creditor does not respond?
A creditor’s failure to respond within the required 30 day timeframe may constitute a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and you should consult with a credit report error lawyer.
Can identity theft make disputes more complicated?
Yes. Identity theft cases often involve fraudulent accounts and unathorized debts, loans, and transactions, so additional documentation will likely be required. For instance, police reports and reports filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can be important. These disputes may also require extra investigation and monitoring.
How long should you keep records of your dispute?
Keep records of your dispute indefinitely whenever possible. Maintaining copies of dispute letters, supporting documents, and investigation results can help if the issue arises again in the future (which is a frequent problem).
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