How to Dispute Credit Bureau Errors
The Fair Credit Reporting Act Section 611 gives you the right to dispute any inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information on your credit report. Each credit bureau must investigate your dispute within 30 days and remove any item they cannot verify. The CFPB supervises the three major bureaus and provides a free complaint portal at consumerfinance.gov. The FTC publishes consumer guidance on disputing credit report errors under the FCRA.
Your FCRA Section 611 Rights
Equifax Dispute Address and Process
Experian Dispute Address and Process
TransUnion Dispute Address and Process
What Happens After You File a Dispute
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispute something on my credit report?
To dispute a credit report error: (1) Get your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com; (2) Identify inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable items; (3) File disputes online, by mail, or phone with each bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) where the error appears; (4) Include documentation supporting your dispute; (5) Wait 30 days for investigation results. Bureaus must remove items they cannot verify.
How long does a credit bureau dispute take?
Credit bureaus are required by the FCRA to investigate disputes within 30 days of receiving them. If you provide additional information during the investigation, they have 45 days. They must notify you of the results in writing. If the dispute is successful, the correction or removal typically appears on your report within 5-7 business days after the investigation closes.
What can I dispute on my credit report?
You can dispute any information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable under the FCRA. This includes: wrong account information, incorrect payment history, accounts that are not yours, collections past the 7-year limit, incorrect balances, wrong personal information, and duplicate accounts. You cannot dispute accurate, verifiable information simply because you dislike it.
What if the bureau sides with the creditor?
If a dispute is denied, you have several options: (1) Request the creditor's verification documentation under FCRA Section 611(a)(6); (2) Add a 100-word consumer statement to your report explaining the dispute; (3) File a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov; (4) Consult an FCRA attorney - if the bureau violated the law, you may be entitled to damages.
Can I dispute the same item twice?
Yes, but only if you have new information or evidence. Submitting an identical dispute with no new information can be deemed frivolous and rejected by the bureau. If your dispute was denied, gather new documentation before resubmitting, or escalate to the CFPB or an attorney.