Mistakes on a credit report, such as an account that is not yours, a late payment you made on time or a debt listed twice, can lower your credit score and cost you money. You have the right to dispute them for free. This guide follows the steps from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). General information only, not legal advice. Facts checked November 6, 2026.
Step 1: get your reports and find the errors
Get your free reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com, where each bureau offers one free report a week. Check names, addresses, accounts, balances, payment history and public records. Mark each item that is wrong and gather documents that prove it, such as statements, payment receipts or letters.
Step 2: dispute with the credit reporting company
Fixing an error generally means contacting both the credit reporting company and the company that provided the information, such as your bank, landlord or credit card company. Start with each bureau that shows the error:
- Equifax: online at equifax.com, or (866) 349-5191
- Experian: online or by mail at experian.com/disputes, or (888) 397-3742
- TransUnion: online at dispute.transunion.com, or (800) 916-8800
Explain in writing what is wrong and why, and include copies (not originals) of your documents. A mailed letter should include your contact details, the report confirmation number if you have one, each error with its account number, why you dispute it, what you want corrected or removed, and a copy of the report page with the items circled. The CFPB offers sample letters (CFPB).
Step 3: dispute with the company that provided the information
Send a dispute in writing, for example by certified mail, to the furnisher's address on your report. Furnishers generally must investigate and respond within 30 days of receiving it. If the information is wrong or cannot be verified, the furnisher must update or remove it and tell all the credit reporting companies.
What happens next
- The credit bureau has 30 days to investigate your dispute and forwards your evidence to the business that reported the information.
- It must give you the results in writing and, if the dispute changes your report, a free copy of the report (FTC).
- A bureau can reject a dispute it considers frivolous, for example one that does not say what is wrong; it must tell you within five business days.
If the error is not fixed
You can ask the credit reporting companies to add a short statement explaining your dispute to your file; it goes to anyone who asks for your report later. You can also submit a complaint to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint or by phone at (855) 411-2372.
Correct negative information is not removed
A dispute fixes errors. If information is correct, a credit bureau can report most negative information for seven years and bankruptcy information for 10 years (FTC). Be careful with companies that promise to remove accurate information for a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost money to dispute a credit report error?
No. Disputing with the credit bureaus and with the company that reported the information is free.
How long does a credit report dispute take?
The credit bureau has 30 days to investigate. Furnishers generally must investigate and respond within 30 days of receiving your dispute.
Should I dispute online or by mail?
Both work. A letter sent by certified mail with a return receipt gives you proof of what you sent and when.
Do I have to dispute with all three bureaus?
Only with the bureaus whose reports show the error. Each one keeps its own file.
Can a company remove accurate late payments?
No one can legally remove accurate, timely negative information. Most of it can stay for seven years.