Here Is How To Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report, Simplified!

Do you know how to dispute credit report errors? Suppose you’ve checked your credit report and noticed false or incorrect items. In that case, it’s your right under federal law to request the removal of those inaccuracies, known as disputing. You should file a dispute immediately after discovering errors on your credit report.

Negative items harm your credit score, making borrowing money or opening a new credit account harder. Below, we’ll help you navigate the process of disputing credit report errors, including how to get started, potential outcomes, expert tips, and important considerations.

How To Check Your Credit Reports

Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are the three major credit bureaus. Each generates a credit report containing your payment history, open accounts, creditworthiness, etc.

Every year (currently every week thru 2023 due to COVID), you can request a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. It’s essential to regularly monitor your credit report from all three bureaus to check for incorrect items, information, or errors.

How Common Are Credit Report Errors?

Whether one of your credit cards incorrectly shows a late payment or a loan hasn’t been reported as paid off, errors occur more frequently than you might think. In 2021, Consumer Reports found that out of 6,000 people surveyed, 34% had at least one error on their credit reports, and 29% had errors linked to their personal information. The most common errors related to debt were:

• Unknown accounts (41%)
• Unrecognized debt in collections (26%)
• Inaccurate reporting of late payments (23%)
• False reporting of missed payments (12%)

Three Ways To Dispute Credit Report Errors

You can dispute errors in three different ways: over the phone, online, or by mail. But first, let’s look at the credit report dispute process.

Gather Related Documents and Materials

First, you’ll need to collect the necessary materials and documents for evidence to support your claim. Of course, the specific materials you’ll need will depend on the error you’re challenging. Examples could include bank or credit card statements, loan documents, etc. Additionally, you’ll need to provide the following:

• Your date of birth and social security number
• Proof of your identity
• A copy of a bank statement or utility bill with your name and address
• A list of your current and former addresses for the past two years
• A copy of your driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued identification

Submit Your Dispute to the Appropriate Credit Bureau

While many people file their disputes online because it’s usually faster, you can also start the process over the phone or through the mail.

Each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) have different avenues for disputing errors, which we’ve included below:

Dispute Experian

• Phone disputes: Call (888) 397-3742
• Written dispute letters should go to this address:

Experian

P.O. Box 4500

Allen, TX 75013

• For online submissions, head to the following website:

www.experian.com/disputes/main.html

.

Dispute Equifax

• Phone disputes: Call (866) 349-5191
• To file by mail, download this dispute form and then send it to the following address:

Equifax Information Services LLC

P.O. Box 740256

Atlanta, GA 30348

• File your dispute online by going here:

www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/

 

Dispute TransUnion

• Phone disputes: Call (800) 916-8800
• Send completed dispute forms to this address:

TransUnion LLC

Consumer Dispute Center

P.O. Box 2000

Chester, PA 19016

• Submit an online dispute here: https://dispute.transunion.com.

Important Information for Written Disputes

If you’re sending a dispute via mail, it needs to contain the following:

• A request that the credit bureau correct or remove the error or false item from your credit report
• Your full name and current address
• A description of each false item and why it needs to be removed
• A copy of your credit report with the errors clearly circled
• Copies of any related or supporting documents

For help writing your dispute letter, you can check out this sample letter template from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Once you finish the letter, send it via certified mail. Then, pay for a return receipt, which will serve as an official record showing that the credit bureau received your letter.

Inform the Data Furnisher

After you’ve officially filed a dispute, you may also want to inform the credit reporting company that falsely reported the information to the credit bureau (i.e., bank, card issuer, lender, etc.), known as the data furnisher. You can find the company’s official address on your credit report. Here’s another sample letter template from the CFPB to make informing the company easier.

Wait To Receive a Response From the Credit Bureau

Most people receive a response to their dispute within 30 days of filing the claim. However, it could take up to 45 days if you need to provide more information. Once the credit bureau has finished its investigation, they have five days to notify you of the results. Common decisions include:

• Updating your credit report with correct information
• Making no change to your credit report
• Deleting the information from your credit report

If the bureau agrees your report has an error, it will remove the item, and your credit report will update within 30 to 45 days.

What Happens if You’re Dissatisfied With the Outcome of Your Dispute?

If the credit bureau doesn’t agree that your report contains an error, you have three options:

• File another dispute. However, unless you have additional information supporting your claim, you may not be successful. Ask for copies of the documents the bureau/agency used to decide the outcome.
• File a complaint. If the credit bureau or agency doesn’t provide enough help or fails to give your dispute proper attention, you can file an official complaint with the CFPB or FTC (Federal Trade Commission).
• Write a statement of dispute. You can add an official dispute statement to your credit report, which is a letter explaining the situation and the outcome of your claim.

Don’t Wait To Remove Negative Items From Your Credit Report

Finding false or incorrect items on your credit report can be disheartening and cause lower credit scores. If this happens, don’t wait. You can dispute credit report errors with all three credit bureaus over the phone, online, or through the mail. If you still have questions about how to dispute credit report errors, we can help. Call Boost Your Score now at 1-800-259-1270 to schedule a consultation with our team of financial experts.