How to Dispute Credit Report Errors

Puzzled by your credit report? You aren't alone. According to a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) study, 5% of consumers found errors on their credit reports that could hurt their loan chances.

You probably already know that a credit report is a document that outlines your creditworthiness by taking your credit history into account. One of the key components of determining creditworthiness is your credit score, which plays an essential role in securing loans, mortgages, credit cards, and more. 90% of top lenders use FICO® Scores, which range from 300-850 for the base score. Certain versions like FICO® Auto Scores range from 250 to 900. Errors on your credit report can affect your score negatively. So how do you detect them?

What are the most common credit report errors?

The most frequent errors found on credit reports are typically:

• Incorrect personal information
• Account information errors
• Fraudulent accounts
• Duplicate listings
• Outdated or inaccurate credit inquiries

According to a 2024 joint investigation by Consumer Reports and Work Money, of those who find errors on their credit report, 34% had errors related to their personal information. If not tackled and remedied, these errors can affect an individual's credit score and financial standing.

How do I dispute my credit report?

First, obtain your credit report. You can get free credit reports from the major bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com by clicking “Request your credit report." You can also sign up for the myFICO Free Plan for monthly access to your Equifax credit report and FICO Score.

Carefully review your credit report to look for potential errors including late payments, incorrect balances, and any unfamiliar accounts. If you do spot an error, contact the credit bureau as they are required to correct the wrongful charge. You may need to reach out to more than one bureau if the error appears on more than one report.

You can dispute with any of the major credit bureaus online as well as by phone or mail. Information about doing so should be featured in your credit report. When you contact them, you will need to provide personal information such as your name and address and the errors you need to be corrected. Depending on the type of dispute, you may also need the following documentation:

• Utility bills
• Bank statements
• Government-issued ID
• Letters from creditors
• FTC Identity theft reports

If you are discussing it by phone, be sure to have a copy of your credit report and your supporting documents nearby. If you opt to dispute by mail, include your credit report with the errors circled or marked, copies of your supporting documents, and any other forms the credit bureaus require. If you are looking to expedite the process, filing a dispute online is typically the fastest way to resolve complaints.

How to dispute your credit report online

The online dispute process is generally the quickest and most efficient option for resolving credit report errors. You can dispute mistakes directly through credit bureaus' websites by following these steps:

• Create an online account – Register for an account with each of the three major credit bureaus.
• Navigate the dispute process – Once logged in, locate the "Dispute a Report" in your account. The process may vary slightly between bureaus but generally involves:
  • Selecting the specific account or item in question.
  • Providing a detailed explanation of the error.
  • Choosing the reason for the dispute from a list of options, like identity theft, incorrect information, or account status.
• Upload supporting documentation – Gather all relevant documents supporting your dispute and upload them electronically to your account. This may include:
  • Copies of your driver's license or other identification
  • Bank statements
  • Credit card statements
  • Debt settlement agreements

Online disputes often result in faster response times and the ability to track the status of the dispute in real time.

What happens after you submit your credit report dispute?

After a dispute is submitted, the standard process for investigating the claim is typically within 30-45 days. Within that window you’ll be notified of the outcome of your dispute either through the mail or electronically.

How to track the status of a dispute

You can track the status of your credit report across all three bureaus but be aware that their processes may slightly differ. You will need to log in to each individual platform with separate logins to check the status of your dispute. Generally, the basic steps to track a filed dispute with a credit bureau will be like this:

• Log in to your account: First, access your online account with the credit bureau where you filed the dispute.
• Locate the dispute status section: Within your account, look for a section on the website that displays a history of all disputes.
• Review the status of your dispute: Once you find the section where the status of your dispute is, you may find similar updates to this:
  • Disputes related to personal information errors
    • Added: The disputed item was added to your credit report.
    • Verified or Updated: The disputed information was updated or corrected.
    • Deleted: The disputed item was removed.
    • Remains: The information was verified as accurate so it will remain unchanged.
  • Disputes related to credit accounts, inquiries, or bankruptcy
    • Verified or Updated: The disputed information was updated or corrected.
    • Deleted: The disputed item was removed.
    • Processed: The item was updated or deleted from the report.
    • Remains: The information was verified as accurate by the company reporting it, so it will remain unchanged.

Possible dispute outcomes and what to do next

You may have a successful dispute (in which the error is corrected), an unsuccessful dispute (in which the error remains), or a partially successful dispute (in which certain errors are corrected, and others are not).

If the dispute is unsuccessful but you’re sure of the error, there are steps you can take:

• Add a dispute statement: You can add a short and clear statement to your credit report explaining your dispute. This will appear to the bureau when your report is viewed.
• Resubmit evidence: You can try to resubmit your dispute with additional documentation or evidence.
• Contact the lender or creditor: Reach out to the lender or creditor that reported the error and provide them with evidence so they can then update the bureaus.