How to Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report
Dispute with the bureau and with the business that supplied the wrong information.
By Siddharth ShankarUpdated October 23, 2026The FTC says to dispute a credit report error with each bureau that shows it, in writing, with a clear explanation, copies of supporting documents and your report with the errors circled, ideally by certified mail with a return receipt. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and sends your evidence to the business that reported the information, which must investigate too. If anything changes you get a free updated report. You should also write to the business directly, and if the dispute is not resolved you can add a statement to your file.
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A wrong entry on your credit report can raise the cost of borrowing or block an application. It can also be a sign that someone else used your details. This guide follows the FTC’s article on disputing errors on your credit reports.
Start with your reports
You cannot fix what you have not seen. Get your reports first; see how to get your free credit reports. Mark every error, such as an account that is not yours, a wrong balance or incorrect personal details.
Dispute with each bureau that shows the error
Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each have their own dispute process. The FTC says to dispute with every bureau that shows the error.
Put it in writing
The FTC advises explaining what is wrong, including the bureau’s dispute form if it has one, and attaching copies of supporting documents. Keep records of everything you send. Your letter should include:
- your full name and address;
- each error you want fixed, and why it is wrong;
- copies, not originals, of supporting documents;
- a copy of your report with the errors circled.
Send it so you can prove it arrived
The FTC suggests certified mail with a return receipt. You can also dispute online or by phone, but mail with a receipt gives you a record.
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What happens next
- Investigation. The bureau has 30 days to investigate. If it calls your dispute “frivolous” or “irrelevant”, it must tell you and explain why, and you may need to provide more evidence.
- Contact with the business. The bureau forwards your evidence to the business that reported the information. That business must investigate and report back. If it finds the information inaccurate, it must notify all three bureaus.
- Results in writing. Expect the outcome by letter.
- Free updated report. If anything changed, you get a free updated copy. The FTC says it does not count as your annual free report.
- Notices of corrections. On request, the bureau must send correction notices to anyone who received your report in the past six months, or to anyone who got it for employment purposes in the past two years.
Dispute with the business as well
The FTC says to also write to the business that supplied the information. Include your name and address, each inaccurate item and why it is wrong, and copies of supporting documents. You can usually find its dispute address on your credit report or its website, and if not you can ask the business for it. If the business keeps reporting the disputed item, it must tell the bureau about your dispute, and the bureau must add a notice that you dispute it. If the business finds the information is inaccurate or incomplete, it must tell the bureau to update or delete it.
If the dispute is not resolved
You can ask the bureau to include a statement of your dispute in your file and in future reports. You can also ask it to share that statement with recent recipients of your report, though it may charge a fee.
Check the result
After the process ends, get your report again to confirm that the error is gone. If the item remains, check that the bureau added a notice that you dispute it.
When the error is identity theft
If the entry is an account you never opened, treat it as possible identity theft. Report it at IdentityTheft.gov and follow what to do if your identity is stolen. A freeze can stop new accounts; see credit freeze vs fraud alert. If the fraud involves taxes, read Form 14039.
Keep a paper trail
Keep copies of every letter, the dates you sent them, the return receipts and any replies. If you have to escalate, a clear record is your best evidence.
Sources
- FTC Consumer Advice: Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports (steps, 30-day investigation, business disputes)
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bureau have to investigate?
The FTC says the bureau has 30 days to investigate your dispute.
Should I dispute online or by mail?
You can use either, but the FTC suggests certified mail with a return receipt so you have a record.
Do I dispute with the bureau or the business?
Both. The FTC advises disputing with each bureau that shows the error and also with the business that supplied the information.
What if the bureau does not fix it?
You can ask the bureau to include a statement of your dispute in your file and in future reports.
Do I get a free report after a dispute?
If anything changed, you get a free updated report, which the FTC says does not count as your annual free report.
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