Errors on credit reports are common enough that disputing them is often the single highest-leverage thing you can do for your score. Here's the process end to end, plus a letter you can copy and adapt.
Step 1: Pull all three reports
Get free reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com. Errors often appear on only one or two bureaus, so check all three individually — don't assume they match.
Step 2: Identify what's actually disputable
You can dispute information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or that you can't verify as belonging to you. You generally can't dispute accurate negative information just because it's unflattering — the FCRA process is for correcting errors, not erasing legitimate history.
Step 3: Gather your documentation
- Account statements showing correct balances or payment dates
- Payment confirmations or bank records
- A police report or FTC identity theft report, if applicable
- Any prior correspondence with the creditor about the issue
Step 4: File the dispute
You can dispute online, but mailing a letter with certified mail and return receipt creates a stronger paper trail if the issue escalates. File with:
- The credit bureau reporting the error (Equifax, Experian, and/or TransUnion)
- The original creditor or collector directly, under FCRA Section 623
Sample dispute letter
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]
[Bureau name]
[Bureau dispute address]
Re: Dispute of inaccurate information — [Your name], [Last 4 of SSN if required]
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to dispute the following information in my file. The item, listed below, is inaccurate because [state the specific reason — e.g., "this account was paid in full on 3/12/2025 but is showing as delinquent" or "I do not recognize this account and believe it may be the result of a mixed credit file"].
Account name: [Creditor name]
Account number: [If known]
Reason for dispute: [Specific reason]
I have enclosed copies of [documentation] supporting this dispute. Please investigate this matter and correct or remove the disputed item as required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Please send me written confirmation of the results.
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your printed name]
Step 5: Track the timeline
Bureaus generally have 30 days (45 in some cases) to investigate. Keep a simple log: date sent, method, tracking number, and the response deadline. If you don't hear back by the deadline, follow up in writing referencing your original dispute.
Step 6: Know what happens next
| Outcome | What it means |
|---|---|
| Item corrected or removed | The bureau agreed the item was inaccurate — request an updated report to confirm |
| Item verified as accurate | You can request the "method of verification" the bureau used, and escalate with more documentation if you still believe it's wrong |
| No response by deadline | Follow up in writing; you may also file a complaint with the CFPB |
When to escalate to the CFPB
If a bureau or furnisher isn't responding or resolving a clear error, you can file a complaint directly with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov. Complaints are routed to the company and typically require a response within 15 days.
Next step
Read the full credit repair guide for what to do after disputes are resolved — utilization, collections, and building positive history.