How to Dispute Credit Report Errors (and Win)

Credit report errors are common, and they can quietly cost you. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to an accurate credit report, and the bureaus are legally required to investigate when you dispute something that is wrong.

This is the one credit tool that comes with the force of law behind it. Here is how to use it.

Dispute vs. goodwill: use the right tool

A dispute is for information that is inaccurate: a payment marked late when it was on time, an account you do not recognize, a wrong balance or status, or anything that could come from identity theft.

If the negative mark is accurate and you are just asking for a favor, that is a goodwill letter, not a dispute. Disputing accurate information will not get it removed. Match the tool to the problem.

How to file a dispute

Pull your reports and identify exactly what is wrong. Write to the credit bureau reporting the error, state clearly what is inaccurate and what the correct information should be, and include copies of any proof such as bank statements or payment confirmations.

For the strongest result, also send a copy of your dispute to the creditor that furnished the information. Send everything by certified mail and keep copies.

What happens next

Once you file, the bureau generally has 30 days to investigate. If the furnisher cannot verify the information, it must be corrected or deleted, and you are entitled to an updated copy of your report.

If a dispute does not resolve a genuine error, you can escalate, and persistent inaccuracies may be worth a consumer-rights attorney. But most legitimate errors are fixed through this process when you document them well.

Build your dispute letter free →