Credit report errors are more common than most people realize — studies suggest around 1 in 5 Americans has at least one error on a credit report. These errors can drag your score down unfairly. The good news: you have the legal right to dispute them for free, and the process is straightforward.
Step 1: Get your credit reports
Get your free reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Check Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately — an error on one bureau may not appear on the others. Review each report carefully for incorrect account information, wrong balances, fraudulent accounts, and duplicate entries.
Step 2: Identify the specific errors
Common errors include: accounts that don’t belong to you (possible fraud or mixed files), late payments that were actually on time, incorrect balances or credit limits, accounts that should have fallen off after 7 years, wrong personal information. Note each error with the bureau it appears on.
Step 3: File a dispute with the bureau
Each bureau has an online dispute portal — Equifax.com, Experian.com, and TransUnion.com all have dedicated dispute sections. You can also dispute by mail, which creates a paper trail. Describe the error clearly and provide any supporting documentation (account statements, payment confirmations).
What happens after you dispute
The bureau must investigate within 30 days. They contact the creditor that reported the information. If the creditor can’t verify the information, it must be removed or corrected. You’ll receive the results of the investigation in writing. If the dispute is resolved in your favor, your score may improve within 30–45 days.
What to do if the dispute is rejected
If your dispute is rejected and you believe the error is real, escalate by filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. You can also add a 100-word statement of dispute to your credit file explaining the situation to anyone who pulls your report.