How to Dispute Credit Report Errors — The FCRA Step-by-Step
An FTC study found that 1 in 5 Americans has at least one error on their credit file. Disputing is free, takes 30 days, and is your right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Here's the exact process for Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — plus what to do if the bureau refuses.
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Step 1 — Pull all three credit reports
Errors rarely appear on all three bureaus at once. Get your full reports free every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com — the only federally authorized free source. Highlight every wrong account, balance, late mark, hard inquiry, or personal-info field.
Step 2 — File the dispute online at each bureau
Each bureau has a free online dispute portal. Pick the disputed item, choose the reason ("not mine", "incorrect balance", "paid in full", "past the 7-year limit"), and upload any supporting documents (receipts, statements, court records).
Step 3 — Wait 30 days for the FCRA investigation
The bureau must investigate within 30 days (45 if you add new info mid-dispute) and send you the result in writing. If the furnisher can't verify the item, it must be deleted. You'll get an updated copy of your credit report at no charge.
Common credit report errors to dispute
| Error type | Dispute reason | Typical fix time |
|---|---|---|
| Account not mine | Identity theft / mixed file | 30 days |
| Wrong balance | Incorrect amount reported | 30 days |
| Late mark paid on time | Inaccurate payment status | 30 days |
| Paid collection still open | Should report as paid/closed | 30 days |
| Item past 7-year FCRA window | Re-aging / obsolete | 30 days |
| Unauthorized hard inquiry | No permissible purpose | 30 days |
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- 3-Bureau credit reports & scores
- Daily monitoring & alerts
- Identity theft protection
- Score simulator & insights
- $1 for 15 days trial
- Cancel online anytime
- 3-Bureau credit reports & scores
- Daily monitoring & alerts
- Identity theft protection
- Score simulator & insights
- $1 for 15 days trial
- Cancel online anytime
Step 4 — Escalate denied disputes
Still wrong? File a complaint with the CFPB — the bureau usually responds within days. You can also:
- Write directly to the furnisher (bank/collector) under FCRA §1681s-2(a).
- Add a 100-word consumer statement to your file.
- Sue under FCRA §1681n for willful violations — actual damages plus $100–$1,000 statutory.
What never to do
Don't pay a "credit repair" company $99/month to send the same letters you can send for free. Per the Credit Repair Organizations Act, they cannot legally do anything you can't do yourself — and many take money up front, which is itself illegal under CROA.
Related credit-report guides
- Credit report explained →
- How long negatives stay on your report →
- ITIN credit mistakes to avoid →
- 3-bureau SSN credit report guide →
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