To dispute a credit report error in the US, send a written dispute to each bureau that shows the mistake (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion), and the bureau generally has 30 days to investigate and report back. If the bureau rejects your dispute, you can send more evidence, dispute directly with the company that reported the data, add a statement to your file, or file a complaint with the CFPB. This guide is general education and not financial advice; verify details with the CFPB or a licensed advisor. Rules and contact details were checked against CFPB and FTC guidance as of September 2026.
Step-by-Step: How to Dispute a Credit Report Error
The process has two tracks: you dispute with the credit bureau, and you also dispute with the company that supplied the data (the “furnisher,” such as a lender or collector). Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the bureau must investigate, pass your dispute and evidence to the furnisher, and report the results back to you.
- Get your reports. Request free copies from AnnualCreditReport.com, the only site authorized by federal law for free reports. Since September 2023 the three bureaus offer free weekly reports there on a permanent basis.
- Find every error. Check names, addresses, account status, balances, payment history, and accounts that are not yours.
- Gather proof. Collect copies (never originals) of statements, payoff letters, court records, or identity theft documents.
- Write to each bureau that lists the error. Each bureau keeps its own file, so a fix at one does not automatically change the others.
- Send it in a traceable way. Certified mail with return receipt gives you proof of the date the bureau received it. Online and phone disputes are also allowed.
- Dispute with the furnisher too. Send a similar letter to the company that reported the information.
- Keep records. Save copies of everything and note dates of each contact.
What to Include in Your Dispute Letter
A strong dispute letter is short, specific, and documented. The CFPB and FTC say it should contain:
- Your full name, current address, and contact information
- Your credit report confirmation number, if you have one
- Each error you want fixed, including the account number for any account you dispute
- A plain explanation of why each item is wrong and what the correct information is
- A copy of the report page with the errors circled or highlighted
- Copies of supporting documents
Bureau mailing details published by the FTC (confirm current addresses before sending):
| Bureau | Dispute mailing address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Equifax | P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30348 | (866) 349-5191 |
| Experian | P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013 | (888) 397-3742 |
| TransUnion | P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 | (800) 916-8800 |
Credit Dispute Deadlines: The 30-Day Investigation Rule
The bureau generally must complete its investigation within 30 days of receiving your dispute. The clock can be longer in two situations, and the bureau must act within specific windows at each stage.
| Stage | Deadline under the FCRA |
|---|---|
| Bureau notifies the furnisher of your dispute | Within 5 business days of receiving it |
| Bureau completes the investigation | 30 days from receipt |
| Extension if you send additional relevant information during the 30 days | Up to 15 more days (45 total) |
| Notice of results to you | Within 5 business days after the investigation ends |
| Bureau tells you it considers a dispute frivolous | Within 5 business days of that decision |
The FCRA also allows a 45-day period when you file a dispute after getting a free report through the annual free report program. If information is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable, the bureau must correct or delete it. If a bureau later restores deleted information, it must notify you in writing.
What Happens After the Bureau Investigates
You will receive written results. If the bureau changed anything, you are entitled to a free copy of your updated report. Review it carefully to confirm the error is gone and that no new errors appeared.
Possible outcomes:
- Corrected or deleted: The item is fixed. Ask the bureau to send notice of the correction to anyone you name who received your report in the past 2 years for employment purposes or the past 6 months for other purposes, as the FCRA provides.
- Verified as accurate: The furnisher confirmed the data. Your file stays as is unless you provide new evidence.
- Dispute dismissed as frivolous or irrelevant: The bureau may stop investigating if it believes your dispute is frivolous, but it must tell you why and what information it needs.
What to Do If the Bureau Rejects Your Dispute
A rejection is not the end. Work through these options in order:
- Resubmit with better evidence. Address the reason given for the rejection, add stronger documents, and point to specific line items. New information can support a new reinvestigation.
- Dispute directly with the furnisher. The company that reported the data has its own duty to investigate and correct inaccurate information. Send a written dispute to the address on your statement or the address the furnisher lists for disputes.
- Add a consumer statement. If the item stays on your report and you still disagree, you can ask the bureau to include a brief statement of the dispute in your file and in future reports that include the item.
- File a CFPB complaint. You can submit a complaint on the CFPB website; the CFPB forwards it to the company and tracks the response.
- Consider other help. Your state attorney general, a nonprofit credit counselor, or a consumer law attorney can advise on your situation. The FCRA also gives consumers the right to bring legal claims in certain cases, so an attorney can explain whether that applies to you.
If the error came from identity theft, a separate process applies: you can place a fraud alert or freeze and file a report through the FTC’s identity theft site before disputing.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Dispute one clear error per line item instead of general complaints.
- Use the bureau’s own report language when describing the error.
- Do not send original documents.
- Follow up in writing if you do not hear back after 30 days, citing the date the bureau received your dispute.
- Recheck all three reports after the dispute closes, since a correction at one bureau may not appear at the others.
- Never pay a company that promises to “erase” accurate negative information. Accurate items generally can stay on a report for their legal reporting period.
Timelines and procedures can vary by situation and can change, so verify current requirements with the CFPB or a licensed advisor before you act.
Credit Report Dispute FAQ
How long does a credit bureau have to investigate a dispute?
Generally 30 days from the day it receives your dispute. It can extend by up to 15 days if you send additional relevant information during the initial 30 days. The bureau must notify you of results within 5 business days after finishing.
Do I have to dispute with all three credit bureaus?
You should dispute with each bureau whose report contains the error. Each bureau maintains its own file, so a correction at one does not automatically update the others. You should also dispute with the company that reported the information.
Can I dispute a credit report error online or by phone?
Yes. You can dispute online, by phone, or by mail. Many consumers choose certified mail with return receipt because it documents the date the bureau received the dispute and lets you attach copies of your evidence.
Does disputing an error cost anything?
No. Filing a dispute with a bureau is free, and you are entitled to a free copy of your report if the bureau makes changes based on your dispute. Be cautious of any company that charges for dispute help you can do yourself.
What if the bureau says the information is accurate but I disagree?
Send new evidence to the bureau and the furnisher, add a statement of dispute to your file, and consider filing a CFPB complaint. This article is general information, not financial advice, so verify your options with the CFPB or a licensed advisor.
Clear, fact-checked guides on money, tech and everyday decisions.
This article is for general information only. Verify details with the relevant official agency before you act on them.
Related reading
- Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans in 2026: Which Plans Still Exist and How to Choose
- 2026 529 Plan Rules: Limits, K-12, and Roth Rollovers
- Series I Savings Bonds: Rate, Limits, and Cashing Out
More on this topic: all US Money articles · full article index