Key Takeaways
- To correct credit reports, identify the error, gather supporting documents, and file a dispute online, by mail, or by phone with the appropriate credit bureau; follow up within 30 days to ensure the correction is reflected in an updated report.
- Common credit report errors include inaccurate personal information, incorrect account status or data, duplicate accounts, fraudulent activity, and mixed files.
- You’re entitled to one free credit report annually from each bureau via AnnualCreditReport.com—review them regularly to spot and resolve issues early.
- After filing a dispute, the credit bureau and data furnisher must investigate within 30 days and send you the outcome along with an updated report or explanation.
Borrowers can typically fix errors on credit reports by filing a dispute online or by mail with a credit bureau. The bureau will request proof of the error, which can be shown through bank statements or payoff letters.
Within about 30 days, both the credit bureau and the business that supplied the information to the credit bureau must investigate a credit report dispute; they must either fix the mistake or provide an explanation if the dispute is denied. You can then follow up by requesting an updated credit report copy to make sure the changes are complete, and you’re done!
Credit reports play a major role in your financial life, so understanding them is key to financial literacy. CreditNinja is here to help you learn how to correct credit reports, so don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with the process!
How To Dispute Credit Reports and Fix Information
It’s important for borrowers to know how to fix errors on a credit report. Fortunately, there are three convenient ways to file a dispute: online, over the phone, and by mail. You may think that mistakes are uncommon, but many people find errors and incorrect information on their credit reports. In fact, Equifax processes about 765,000 consumer disputes a month!¹
Before you file a dispute, it’s critical to document the error and gather proof. Get time and dates, amounts, account numbers, confirmation letters, and any other information the credit bureaus may need. Once you have your proof ready, you can start the dispute process.
Here’s a guide on the different ways you can complete the credit bureau dispute process:
How To Dispute Credit Report Online
You can conveniently dispute reports with any of the three major credit bureaus online. Submitting disputes online is generally the easiest way for most borrowers to fix inaccurate or incomplete information.
Every credit bureau has their own online interface for submitting disputes. If you find an error on one of your credit reports, navigate to that credit bureaus website to file a dispute. Be prepared to submit personal information for proof of identity, such as your name, date of birth, and Social Security number or ITIN. Follow the instructions to complete and submit your dispute.
How To Dispute Credit Report by Phone
Once you identify errors on your credit report, you can call the corresponding credit bureau to file a dispute. Automated assistance is typically available 24/7, while human representatives may only be available during specific hours during the week. Once you get in touch with an agent, they can help you file a dispute over the phone by verifying your personal information and documenting details about the error.
How to Dispute Credit Report By Mail
If you find a minor error on one of your credit reports and you don’t need an immediate fix, you can dispute the mistake by using certified mail. The credit bureau address can be found on your credit report or through the official website.
You will have to explain the issue in writing and provide copies of documents that support your dispute. If the credit bureau provides dispute forms on their website, you will have to print one and complete it in addition to your dispute letter. Remember to keep a copy of everything you send to credit reporting companies.
Credit Bureau Information at a Glance
| Experian | TransUnion | Equifax | |
| Online | Dispute Website | Dispute Website | Dispute Website |
| Experian P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013 | TransUnion Consumer Solutions P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016-2000 | Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374-0256 | |
| Phone Number | 855-414-6048 | 800-916-8800 | 888-378-4329 |
What Is A Credit Report and Why Do They Matter?
A credit report is a statement with detailed information about your financial history. Your credit report is typically used for rental applications, loans, insurance premiums, and even employment opportunities. Your credit file contents are a good summary of your financial status and creditworthiness.
Here’s a credit report breakdown of the information you can expect to see:
- Personal Information — Your name, address, Social Security number, and previous employers.
- Credit Accounts — Your credit accounts, balances, payment history, and credit limits.
- Public Records — Public information from government sources, such as bankruptcies and liens.
- Inquiries — Any credit inquiries you have made within the past two years.
- Collections — Information on overdue debt that has been transferred or sold to a debt collection agency.
Common Credit Report Errors
Unfortunately, there are some common reporting mistakes that borrowers catch on their reports. When you monitor your reports, make sure the following inaccuracies don’t appear on your credit file.
- Personal Info Errors — Make sure you verify your name, address, SSN, date of birth, and employment details. Many people have misspellings or incorrect identifying information.
- Account Status Issues — The status of your accounts may be incorrect. If you have previously closed an account, make sure its status is “closed.”
- Incorrect Account Data — You may notice incorrect credit limits, balances, or payment history.
- Duplicate Accounts — There may be duplicates of your credit accounts.
- Fraud — There may be suspicious new accounts opened, which could be a sign of identity theft.
- Mixed Files — It’s possible for information from another person’s credit report to appear mixed with yours.
How To Identify Credit Report Errors
You can identify errors on a credit report by requesting your reports from each of the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The AnnualCreditReport.com website allows you to download all three reports or choose them individually. Consumers are entitled to one free report from each bureau every 12 months.
It’s critical to audit your credit reports for accuracy at least once a year. Frequent monitoring allows you to spot errors in credit reports as soon as they appear, which can limit the negative impact on your credit. Verify your personal information and make sure that your account details are accurate.
What Happens After I File a Dispute?
After you dispute credit report information, the credit bureau has 30 days to start and complete an internal investigation. A credit report furnisher is a company that provides information about a consumer’s credit history to the credit reporting bureaus. If you make a credit report dispute, then the bureau will contact the furnisher to verify the information on your credit report. You can expect to receive a written notification of the investigation results within 30 days—no matter whether the dispute was accurate or inaccurate.
How To Follow Up and Ensure Changes Were Made
If the information on your credit report is proven to be inaccurate, then the credit bureau will notify you of the investigation results in writing. The statement will detail the dispute results and you will also receive an updated copy of your report with the redacted or changed information.
If your credit report dispute was denied, then the letter will contain information that verifies the legitimacy of the disputed information. If you believe your dispute was warranted, you can request an appeal with the credit bureau.
FAQ
How to fix credit report errors?
To correct errors on your credit report, start by identifying the inaccuracies and gathering supporting documentation. Then, contact the credit reporting agency (Equifax and/or TransUnion) to file a dispute. You can do this online, by mail, or sometimes by phone
How can I quickly fix my credit score?
To quickly improve your credit score, pay bills on time, lower your credit utilization, and fix any credit report mistakes. Consider becoming an authorized user or using a secured credit card to build a positive history.
Are credit disputes free?
Disputes are 100% free.
What documents will I need to provide for my dispute?
When filing a dispute, you’ll need to provide documents that support your claim. This may include personal ID (like a driver’s license or utility bill), account records (such as bank statements or lender letters), or other paperwork like court documents or proof of identity theft.
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