What we verified in “How to dispute errors on your credit report”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the CFPB, you have the right to dispute errors on your credit report; fixing an error generally means contacting both the credit reporting company and the company that provided the information. Credit reporting companies gather information about you from other companies called furnishers, such as your bank, your landlord or your credit card company. If you suspect the error is a result of identity theft, the CFPB points you to IdentityTheft.gov.

   Sources 1 · How do I dispute an error on my credit report? (last reviewed September 2, 2026): 'You have the right to dispute errors on your credit report'; 'contacting both the credit reporting company and the company that provided the information'; 'Credit reporting companies gather information about you from other companies called furnishers'; 'Examples of furnishers include your bank, your landlord, and your credit card company'; 'If you suspect that the error on your report is a result of identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. The CFPB recommends checking that your report contains only items about you and looking for inaccurate or incomplete information: identity errors (wrong name, phone number or address); accounts belonging to another person with the same or a similar name (mixing two consumers' information in a single file is called a mixed file); incorrect accounts resulting from identity theft; closed accounts reported as open; being reported as the owner of an account when you are just an authorized user; accounts incorrectly reported as late or delinquent; an incorrect date of last payment, date opened or date of first delinquency; the same debt listed more than once, possibly with different names; and an incorrect current balance or credit limit. If you find errors, contact the credit reporting company that sent you the report and the company that provided the information.

   Sources 2 · What are common credit report errors that I should look for on my credit report? (last reviewed September 2, 2026): 'check that it contains only items about you'; 'Errors made to your identity information (wrong name, phone number, address)'; 'Accounts belonging to another person with the same or a similar name as yours'; 'in a single file is called a mixed file'; 'Incorrect accounts resulting from identity theft'; 'Closed accounts reported as open'; 'just an authorized user'; 'Accounts that are incorrectly reported as late or delinquent'; 'Incorrect date of last payment, date opened, or date of first delinquency'; 'Same debt listed more than once, possibly with different names'; 'Accounts with an incorrect current balance'; 'Accounts with an incorrect credit limit'; 'contact the credit reporting company that sent you the report, and the lender or company that provided the information' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. The CFPB warns against paying fees to 'repair' your credit history: no one has the right to remove negative information, such as late payments, from a credit report if it is accurate; you can only get your report fixed if it contains errors, and you can do that on your own at no cost.

   Sources 3 · How long does information stay on my credit report? (last reviewed September 2, 2026), Tip box: 'Don't pay fees to'; 'no one has the right to remove negative information, such as late payments, from a credit report if it is accurate'; 'You can only get your credit report fixed if it contains errors'; 'you can do that on your own at no cost' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. According to the CFPB, credit reporting companies can generally report most negative information for seven years; a lawsuit or judgment for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer; and a bankruptcy can stay on your report for up to ten years.

   Sources 3 · How long does information stay on my credit report?, 'Negative information': 'A credit reporting company generally can report most negative information for seven years'; 'seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer'; 'Bankruptcies can stay on your report for up to ten years' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. The federal credit reporting law (15 U.S.C. §1681c) prohibits including in a report accounts placed for collection or charged off that are more than seven years old; for a delinquent account, that period begins when the 180 days after the start of the delinquency that led to the collection or charge-off have passed. These limits do not apply to reports used for credit of $150,000 or more, life insurance of $150,000 or more or a job with an annual salary of $75,000 or more.

   Sources 4 · 15 U.S.C. §1681c(a)(4): 'Accounts placed for collection or charged to profit and loss which antedate the report by more than seven years'; §1681c(c)(1): 'upon the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on the date of the commencement of the delinquency'; §1681c(b): 'a principal amount of $150,000 or more'; 'a face amount of $150,000 or more'; 'equal $75,000, or more' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. According to the CFPB, start by disputing with the credit reporting company (Experian, Equifax or TransUnion): explain in writing what you think is wrong and why, with copies of documents that support your dispute. If you mail it, the letter should include your complete name, address and telephone number; the credit report confirmation number, if available; each error you want fixed, with the account number; a clear explanation of why you are disputing it; a request that it be removed or corrected; a copy of the part of the report with the disputed items circled or highlighted; and copies (not originals) of your documents. You can send it by certified mail with a return receipt, so you have a record it was received, and keep copies of the letter and documents. The bureaus take disputes online, by mail or by phone.

   Sources 1 · How do I dispute an error on my credit report?, 'First, dispute the information with the credit reporting company or companies': 'start by disputing that information with the credit reporting company (Experian, Equifax, and/or Transunion)'; 'explain in writing what you think is wrong, why, and include copies of documents that support your dispute'; 'Contact information for you, including your complete name, address, and telephone number'; 'Credit report confirmation number, if available'; 'Each error you want fixed, including the account number for any account you may be disputing'; 'Clear explanation of why you are disputing the information'; 'Request that the information be removed or corrected'; 'with the disputed items circled or highlighted'; 'Copies (not originals) of documents that support your position'; 'by certified mail and ask for a return receipt'; 'Keep copies of your dispute letter and the documents you send with it'; 'online, by mail, or by phone' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. According to the CFPB, you dispute with Equifax online at equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/ or by phone at the number on your report or (866) 349-5191, and its site equifax.com/personal/contact-us/ gives the current mailing address for disputes; with Experian online, or with mail instructions, at experian.com/disputes/main.html, or by phone at the number on your report or (888) 397-3742; with TransUnion online at dispute.transunion.com, by mail or phone with the instructions at transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-credit/mail-or-phone, or at (800) 916-8800.

   Sources 1 · How do I dispute an error on my credit report?, Equifax / Experian / TransUnion: 'www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/'; 'Call the phone number shown on your credit report or call (866) 349-5191'; 'www.equifax.com/personal/contact-us/ to find the current address you can mail your dispute to'; 'www.experian.com/disputes/main.html to dispute online or get instructions for how to dispute by mail'; 'Call the phone number shown on your credit report or call (888) 397-3742'; 'Online: dispute.transunion.com'; 'www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-credit/mail-or-phone'; 'call (800) 916-8800' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. The CFPB's guide and template letter for disputing with a credit reporting company says to print and mail the letter with one copy of a government-issued identification card (such as a driver's license or state ID card) and one copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement; that requirements may vary by company, so it is good to double-check with each one; to keep a copy of the letter; and, if you send documents, to send copies and keep your originals.

   Sources 5 · Sample letter: Credit report dispute, p. 2, 'How to use the template': 'Print and mail the letter along with one copy of a'; 'government issued identification card'; 'a driver's license or state ID card'; 'copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement'; 'Note that requirements may vary by'; 'Keep a copy of the letter for your records'; 'copies and keep your originals' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. Under the federal credit reporting law (15 U.S.C. §1681i), if you dispute the accuracy or completeness of any item in your file, the credit reporting agency must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation free of charge and finish it before the end of the 30-day period that begins when it receives your notice; that period may be extended by up to 15 additional days if you send relevant information during those 30 days. Within 5 business days of receiving your dispute it must notify whoever provided the item, and it must review and consider all relevant information you submit.

   Sources 6 · 15 U.S.C. §1681i(a)(1)(A): 'any item of information contained in a consumer'; 'free of charge, conduct a reasonable reinvestigation'; 'before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the agency receives the notice of the dispute'; (a)(1)(B): 'may be extended for not more than 15 additional days'; (a)(2)(A): 'Before the expiration of the 5-business-day period'; (a)(4): 'shall review and consider all relevant information submitted by the consumer' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. Under the same law, the agency may end the reinvestigation if it reasonably determines that your dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, including because you did not provide enough information to investigate; it must then notify you no later than 5 business days after deciding, with its reasons and the information needed to investigate.

    Sources 6 · 15 U.S.C. §1681i(a)(3): 'frivolous or irrelevant, including by reason of a failure by a consumer to provide sufficient information to investigate the disputed information'; 'not later than 5 business days after making such determination'; 'the reasons for the determination'; 'identification of any information required to investigate the disputed information' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. If after the reinvestigation an item is found to be inaccurate or incomplete or cannot be verified, the agency must promptly delete or modify it and notify whoever provided it. A deleted item may not be put back unless the furnisher certifies it is complete and accurate, and if it is reinserted the agency must notify you in writing no later than 5 business days afterward. The agency must send you written results no later than 5 business days after finishing, with a report based on your revised file and a notice of your right to add a statement disputing the item.

    Sources 6 · 15 U.S.C. §1681i(a)(5)–(6): 'is found to be inaccurate or incomplete or cannot be verified'; 'promptly delete that item of information from the file of the consumer, or modify that item of information'; 'unless the person who furnishes the information certifies that the information is complete and accurate'; 'not later than 5 business days after the reinsertion'; 'not later than 5 business days after the completion of the reinvestigation'; 'a consumer report that is based upon the consumer'; 'the right to add a statement' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. If the reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute, you may file a brief statement explaining the dispute; the agency may limit it to 100 words if it helps you write a clear summary. Unless it has reasonable grounds to believe it is frivolous or irrelevant, any later report containing that item must clearly note that you dispute it and include your statement or a summary. At your request, the agency must send notice of the deleted item or of your statement to anyone you name who received your report in the past two years for employment, or in the past six months for any other purpose.

    Sources 6 · 15 U.S.C. §1681i(b)–(d): 'If the reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute, the consumer may file a brief statement setting forth the nature of the dispute'; 'not more than one hundred words if it provides the consumer with assistance in writing a clear summary of the dispute'; 'clearly note that it is disputed by the consumer'; 'within two years prior thereto received a consumer report for employment purposes, or within six months prior thereto' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. According to the CFPB, next dispute with the company that provided the information: in writing, by certified mail, to that company's address on your report or to an address it specifies for disputes. Furnishers generally must investigate and respond within 30 days of receiving the dispute. If the information was wrong or cannot be verified, the furnisher must update or remove it and notify all the credit reporting companies, which must then update your reports. If the furnisher decides the information is accurate, you can contact the credit reporting companies again and ask them to include a statement explaining the dispute in your reports; the statement is added to your file and provided to whoever requests your report in the future.

    Sources 1 · How do I dispute an error on my credit report?, 'Then, dispute the information with the company that provided it to the credit reporting companies': 'Send disputes to furnishers in writing, using certified mail'; 'furnisher's address included on your consumer report or to an address specified by the furnisher'; 'Furnishers generally must investigate and respond to your dispute within 30 days of when they receive the dispute'; 'the furnisher must update or remove the information and notify all the credit reporting companies after correcting it'; 'the credit reporting companies must update your credit reports'; 'ask them to include a statement explaining the dispute in your credit reports'; 'provided to whomever requests your credit report in the future' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. By federal regulation (Regulation V, 12 CFR §1022.43), the furnisher must conduct a reasonable investigation of a direct dispute about whether you owe the account (including identity theft or fraud, individual or joint liability, or whether you are just an authorized user), the terms of the account (such as the balance or credit limit) and how you have paid (such as the payment status). It does not have to investigate direct disputes about your identifying information (name, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number or address), inquiries, public-record information or information another furnisher provided, nor a dispute it reasonably believes a credit repair organization prepared or submitted. Your notice must include information to identify the account (such as the account number and your name, address and phone number), the specific information you dispute with an explanation, and the documentation it reasonably requires, for example a police report, a fraud or identity theft affidavit, a court order or account statements. It must finish and report results to you within the same period a credit reporting agency would have.

    Sources 8 · 12 CFR §1022.43, Direct disputes: 'a furnisher must conduct a reasonable investigation of a direct dispute'; 'whether there is or has been identity theft or fraud against the consumer'; 'whether there is individual or joint liability on an account'; 'whether the consumer is an authorized user of a credit account'; 'principal balance'; 'the amount of the credit limit'; 'current payment status'; 'such as name(s), date of birth, Social Security number, telephone number(s), or address(es)'; 'Inquiries or requests for a consumer report'; 'Information derived from public records'; 'Information provided to a consumer reporting agency by another furnisher'; 'is submitted on a form supplied to the consumer by, a credit repair organization'; 'Sufficient information to identify the account or other relationship that is in dispute'; 'The specific information that the consumer is disputing and an explanation of the basis for the dispute'; 'a police report; a fraud or identity theft affidavit; a court order; or account statements'; 'report the results of the investigation to the consumer before the expiration of the period' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. Under the federal credit reporting law (15 U.S.C. §1681s-2), if you dispute an item directly with the company that provided it, that company may not report it to any credit reporting agency without noting that you dispute it. When a credit reporting agency passes your dispute on, the furnisher must investigate, review the relevant information the agency sent and report the results back; if the item is incomplete or inaccurate it must report that to the other nationwide agencies it reported to; if it is inaccurate, incomplete or cannot be verified it must modify it, delete it or permanently block its reporting; and it must finish before the agency's deadline runs out.

    Sources 7 · 15 U.S.C. §1681s-2(a)(3): 'the person may not furnish the information to any consumer reporting agency without notice that such information is disputed by the consumer'; §1681s-2(b)(1): 'conduct an investigation with respect to the disputed information'; 'review all relevant information provided by the consumer reporting agency'; 'report those results to all other consumer reporting agencies'; 'permanently block the reporting of that item of information'; (b)(2), 'Deadline': 'before the expiration of the period under section 1681i(a)(1) of this title' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. According to the CFPB, if a credit reporting company does not respond to your dispute or does not respond adequately, you have rights: you can ask for a brief statement of the dispute to be included in your file (a right that applies only to disputes submitted to a credit reporting company, not to those submitted directly to the furnisher), and you can sue, because companies that break the law can be held liable for damages and attorney fees, though time limits apply. For more help, the CFPB mentions speaking with a lawyer (you may qualify for free legal services in your community), complaining to your state attorney general, since your state may have additional protections, or submitting a complaint to the CFPB online or at (855) 411-2372.

    Sources 9 · What if I disagree with the results of my credit report dispute? (last reviewed January 29, 2024): 'You have the right to add a statement to your credit file'; 'applies only to disputes you've submitted to a credit reporting company, not to disputes that you've submitted directly to companies'; 'You have the right to bring a lawsuit'; 'can be held liable for damages and attorney fees'; 'Time limits apply to bringing a lawsuit'; 'You may also qualify for free legal services in your community'; 'Submit a complaint to your state attorney general'; 'Your state may have additional protections'; '(855) 411-CFPB (2372)' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. According to the CFPB, if your complaint against a credit reporting agency is about inaccurate or incomplete information, the law requires you to first dispute it directly with the agency. You generally cannot submit a second complaint about the same problem, so include the key facts and the most important dates, amounts and communications, and attach documents (up to 50 pages). The CFPB sends your complaint to the company; companies generally respond in 15 days, and in some cases give a final response in 60 days. You provide your name, email and phone number to create a secure account, plus your address; the CFPB publishes complaint data without information that directly identifies you. If you file for someone else, companies generally require that person's signed, written authorization.

    Sources 10 · Submit a complaint: 'You are required by law to first dispute the information directly with the credit or consumer reporting agency'; 'You generally can't submit a second complaint about the same problem'; 'Include only the most important dates, amounts, and communications'; 'Limit: 50 pages'; 'Companies generally respond in 15 days'; 'provide a final response in 60 days'; 'You will need to provide your name, email, and phone number to create your secure account'; 'You will need to provide your address'; 'without information that directly identifies you'; 'companies generally require signed, written authorization' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. According to the CFPB, if you are a victim of identity theft, report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, where you get an Identity Theft Report and a recovery plan. A fraud alert is placed with one nationwide credit reporting company, which must notify the others, and an initial alert lasts one year. Under federal law, freezing and unfreezing your credit is free at the three companies, but you must contact each one. To block fraudulent information, you send the companies an identity theft report, proof of identity and a letter identifying the fraudulent debts and information; they must block it within four business days after receiving your request. That method is only for debts resulting from identity theft; for others, you use the dispute process.

    Sources 11 · What do I do if I am a victim of identity theft? (last reviewed July 30, 2026): 'Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov'; 'You will get an Identity Theft Report and recovery plan'; 'it must notify the others'; 'Credit reporting companies keep that alert on your file for one year'; 'Under federal law, you can freeze and unfreeze your credit record for free'; 'You must contact each credit reporting company individually'; 'A letter identifying the fraudulent debts and information on your credit report'; 'must block fraudulent information from your credit report within four business days after receiving your request'; 'Use this method only for debts that are the result of identity theft' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. The CFPB lists as warning signs of a credit repair scam a company that pressures you to pay before providing services (some structure monthly payment plans to try to avoid that rule, and all forms of upfront payment before services are completed are illegal); that promises to remove negative information even if it is accurate and current (no one can do this); that advises you to dispute everything on your report even if it is correct; that does not explain your rights and what you can do for free; or that tells you not to contact the credit reporting companies. Disputing errors is a free legal right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and you do not need to pay a company to do it.

    Sources 12 · How can I tell a credit repair scam from a reputable credit counselor? (last reviewed November 7, 2023): 'The company wants you to pay before it provides any services'; 'Some companies will structure monthly payment plans to try to avoid this requirement'; 'all forms of upfront payment before services are completed are illegal'; 'even if that information is accurate and current. No one can do this'; 'The company advises you to dispute all the information in your credit report, even if it is correct and timely'; 'The company doesn't tell you your rights and what you can do for yourself for free'; 'recommends that you don't contact any of the nationwide credit reporting companies directly'; 'a free legal right available to you under the Fair Credit Reporting Act'; 'You don't need to pay a credit repair organization to do it for you' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. The federal Credit Repair Organizations Act (15 U.S.C. §1679b) prohibits making, or advising you to make, untrue or misleading statements about your credit to a credit reporting agency or a creditor; prohibits advising you to make statements meant to alter your identification so your credit record does not show, in order to conceal adverse information that is accurate and not obsolete; and prohibits credit repair organizations from charging or receiving money for a service before it is fully performed.

    Sources 13 · 15 U.S.C. §1679b(a)(1): 'which is untrue or misleading'; 'any consumer reporting agency'; §1679b(a)(2): 'to alter the consumer's identification to prevent the display of the consumer's credit record, history, or rating'; 'for the purpose of concealing adverse information that is accurate and not obsolete'; §1679b(b), 'Payment in advance': 'No credit repair organization may charge or receive any money or other valuable consideration'; 'before such service is fully performed' · Checked October 17, 2026

21. Under the same law (15 U.S.C. §1679c), before any contract is signed, a credit repair organization must give you a written statement of rights saying that you can dispute inaccurate information by contacting the credit bureau directly; that neither you nor any 'credit repair' company has the right to have accurate, current and verifiable information removed; that the bureau may not charge a fee to reinvestigate; and that you have a right to sue a credit repair organization that violates the law.

    Sources 14 · 15 U.S.C. §1679c(a), 'Consumer Credit File Rights Under State and Federal Law': 'before any contract or agreement between the consumer and the credit repair organization is executed'; 'You have a right to dispute inaccurate information in your credit report by contacting the credit bureau directly'; 'has the right to have accurate, current, and verifiable information removed from your credit report'; 'The credit bureau may not charge any fee for this service'; 'You have a right to sue a credit repair organization that violates the Credit Repair Organization Act' · Checked October 17, 2026

22. Under the same law (15 U.S.C. §1679e), you may cancel any contract with a credit repair organization, without penalty or obligation, before midnight of the 3rd business day after signing it; the contract must come with a 'Notice of Cancellation' form in duplicate, and you must be given a copy of the completed contract and the disclosure statement.

    Sources 15 · 15 U.S.C. §1679e: 'cancel any contract with any credit repair organization without penalty or obligation'; 'before midnight of the 3rd business day'; 'accompanied by a form, in duplicate'; 'Notice of Cancellation'; 'a copy of the completed contract and the disclosure statement' · Checked October 17, 2026

23. HUD-approved housing counselors provide independent advice on buying a home, renting, defaults and credit issues, often at little or no cost; you find them by ZIP code with the CFPB's tool, which uses HUD's official list.

    Sources 16 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'Housing counselors throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'they can offer independent advice, often at little or no cost to you'; 'Search by ZIP code'; 'powered by HUD's official list of housing counselors' · Checked October 17, 2026