Errors on a credit report are more common than many people realise. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute inaccurate information and the credit bureaus are required to investigate. This page explains how to get your free credit report and how the dispute process works. This is general information only, not credit advice.
You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the only federally authorised source for free annual reports. Avoid sites that mimic this name or require a credit card to access your report. During some periods the bureaus have offered free weekly reports beyond the annual entitlement. Check the CFPB's website for the current offer, as this may have changed since this page was written.
When reviewing your credit report, look carefully for these common types of errors. Wrong personal information, including an incorrect name, address, date of birth or Social Security number variation, can sometimes cause other people's accounts to appear on your report. Accounts you do not recognise may indicate identity theft or a data mix-up. Duplicate entries for the same account are sometimes created when a debt is sold and both the original creditor and the new owner report it. Incorrect account status is particularly impactful, such as an account being shown as open when it was closed, or as delinquent when it was paid on time. Incorrect balances or credit limits can also affect your credit utilisation calculation.
Each of the three major bureaus has an online dispute portal. You can also dispute by mail or telephone, though mail or online disputes provide a clearer paper trail. When disputing, clearly identify the specific item you believe is wrong, explain why you believe it is inaccurate, and attach any supporting documents you have, such as account statements, payment records or correspondence from the creditor. The bureau is required to investigate within 30 days of receiving your dispute, or within 45 days if you provide additional information after the initial submission. Keep copies of everything you send, and note the date you submitted each dispute.
You can also dispute information directly with the company that reported it to the bureau, which is called the "furnisher." The furnisher is typically a lender, credit card company, debt collector or other financial company. Furnishers are legally required under the FCRA to investigate disputes and to correct or delete information found to be inaccurate or incomplete. Disputing with both the bureau and the furnisher at the same time can be more thorough, since each has independent investigation obligations. Include the same clear explanation and supporting documents in both disputes.
Rules around medical debt on credit reports have changed significantly in recent years, with regulatory and legislative changes affecting how and whether medical debts can be reported to credit bureaus. Always check the CFPB's current guidance on this topic at consumerfinance.gov, as the position may have changed after this page was written.
If your dispute is rejected and you still believe the information is wrong, you have additional options. You can add a consumer statement of up to 100 words to your credit file explaining your position. This statement will appear alongside the disputed item when lenders request your report. You can also escalate by filing a complaint with the CFPB, which creates a formal record and may prompt a more thorough review. If you believe the inaccuracy was caused by identity theft, report it to the FTC at identitytheft.gov, which will generate a recovery plan and official report you can share with creditors.
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This page is general educational information only. It is not financial, legal, tax, credit or debt advice. Rules and regulations can change. Always verify current information with official sources before taking any action.