You can dispute credit report errors directly with the credit bureau online, by mail, or by phone
If you spot something wrong on your credit report — a late payment that wasn't late, an account that isn't yours, a balance that's incorrect — you have the right to challenge it. The three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) all accept disputes online through their websites. You can also dispute by mail or phone, but online is fastest because the bureau timestamps your submission when ready and you get a case number to track.
The process itself is straightforward: you identify the error, tell the bureau which item is wrong and why, and they have 30 days to investigate. They contact the creditor or lender who reported the information. If the creditor can't verify the item, the bureau removes it. If they can verify it, it stays. You'll get the result in writing, usually within that 30-day window.
Key Takeaways
- You can start a dispute on Equifax.com, Experian.com, or TransUnion.com without paying a fee — the bureaus are required to investigate for free.
- Online disputes are faster than mail because the bureau records the date you submitted when ready and gives you a tracking number.
- The bureau has 30 days to contact the creditor and investigate; if the creditor can't verify the error, it gets removed from your report.
- If the dispute doesn't work, you can add a written statement to your report explaining your side, which lenders will see when they pull your file.
How to start a dispute on each bureau's website
Equifax disputes start at dispute.equifax.com. You'll need to create an account or log in if you already have one. Select "Dispute Items on Your Report," choose the item you want to challenge, and describe what's wrong. You can dispute multiple items in one submission. Equifax will email you a case number and timeline.
Experian disputes go through their online dispute portal at disputes.experian.com. Like Equifax, you create an account and select the item. Experian also lets you upload documents (like a letter from a creditor or a bank statement) to support your dispute. This can speed up their investigation.
TransUnion disputes start at disputes.transunion.com. The process is similar: log in, select the item, explain the error, and submit. TransUnion will send you a dispute reference number by email.
All three bureaus will send you updates by email or mail as the investigation progresses. Most disputes are resolved within 30 days, though complex cases can take longer.
What information you'll need before you start
Have your credit report in front of you when you dispute. You need the exact account number or name of the creditor, the date the item appeared on your report, and a clear explanation of why it's wrong. For example: "This account shows a 30-day late payment in March 2023, but I have bank statements showing the payment was made on time" is much stronger than "This is wrong."
If you're disputing an account that isn't yours (identity theft or a mistake), say so clearly. If you're disputing a balance, explain why — the account was paid off, the amount is incorrect, or the debt was discharged in bankruptcy. The more specific you are, the easier it is for the bureau to investigate.
You don't need to upload documents to start a dispute online, but having them ready helps. Experian lets you upload them directly. For Equifax and TransUnion, you can mention in your dispute description that you have supporting documents and ask how to submit them.
What happens after you submit your dispute
The bureau sends your dispute to the creditor or lender who reported the item. That company has 30 days to verify the information is accurate. If they can't verify it — because their records are unclear, the account was sold, or they straightforward don't respond — the bureau must remove the item from your report.
If the creditor verifies the information is correct, the item stays on your report. The bureau will notify you in writing with the results. If the item was removed, you'll get an updated credit report showing the change. If it stayed, you have the right to add a written statement (up to 100 words) to your report explaining your side of the story. Lenders will see this statement when they pull your report.
Some disputes take longer than 30 days if the creditor needs extra time to investigate or if the account was transferred. The bureau will tell you if there's a delay and when you can expect a final answer.
Disputing by mail or phone if you can't go online
If you don't have internet access or prefer not to dispute online, you can mail a letter to each bureau. Write a clear, dated letter explaining which item is wrong and why. Include a copy of your credit report with the item circled or highlighted. Mail it to the bureau's dispute address (found on their website). Keep a copy for your records.
You can also call the bureau's customer service line to ask about disputes, though most representatives will direct you to the online process or mail option. Phone disputes are slower because the bureau has to record your information and create a case file manually.
Mail disputes take longer — usually 5 to 7 business days just to reach the bureau, plus the 30-day investigation period. Online is faster because the timestamp is automatic and there's no mail delay.
What to do if the dispute doesn't remove the error
If the bureau investigated and the item stayed on your report, you have options. First, contact the creditor directly (not the bureau) and ask them to correct their records. Sometimes the error is on their end — they reported the wrong date or balance — and they can ask the bureau to update it. Get any correction request in writing.
Second, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. This doesn't remove the item, but it creates an official record that you disputed it and the bureau didn't remove it. Lenders can see this complaint when they pull your report.
Third, if the error caused you real financial harm (you were denied credit or charged a higher rate because of the wrong information), you may have grounds to sue the bureau or creditor. This is rare and usually requires a lawyer, but it's an option if the error is serious.
How long disputes stay on your record
If an item is removed because of your dispute, it's gone from your report. It won't reappear unless the creditor reports it again, which they shouldn't if they couldn't verify it the first time.
If you add a written statement to your report (because the dispute didn't remove the item), that statement stays for as long as the item itself stays. Negative items like late payments typically fall off your report after seven years from the date they first appeared. Bankruptcies stay for seven to ten years depending on the type.
Once an item falls off naturally, you don't need to do anything — it's automatically removed. You can check your report annually at annualcreditreport.com (the free, official site) to confirm items have been removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to dispute an error?
No. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires bureaus to investigate disputes for free. If a website charges you to dispute, it's a scam. Use the official bureau websites (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) or mail your dispute directly.
What if the same error appears on all three credit reports?
Dispute it with all three bureaus. Each one investigates separately, though they often get information from the same creditor. Submitting disputes to all three takes about 15 minutes online and gives you the best chance of removal.
Can I dispute something that's technically correct but unfair?
Not through the dispute process. The bureau only removes items that are factually inaccurate or can't be verified. If a late payment is real but you have an explanation, add a written statement to your report instead. Lenders will see it when they review your file.
How often can I dispute the same item?
You can dispute once. If you dispute the same item again within a short time without new information, the bureau can dismiss it as frivolous. If you have new evidence (like a bank statement you didn't have before), you can dispute again with that evidence included.
Will disputing hurt my credit score?
No. Checking your own credit report and disputing errors does not lower your score. Only hard inquiries from lenders and negative items on your report affect your score.