Written by Your credit report plays a crucial role in your financial health. Lenders, landlords, and even some employers use it to assess your reliability. So when inaccurate or outdated information appears on your report, it’s important to take immediate action. Fortunately, federal law gives you the right to dispute errors with the credit bureaus—TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax—for free.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to dispute incorrect credit report information with each of the three major credit bureaus:
Step 1: Review Your Credit Reports
You’re entitled to a free credit report from each bureau once per week through AnnualCreditReport.com. Review each one thoroughly for:
- Incorrect account balances
- Accounts that don’t belong to you
- Duplicate accounts
- Incorrect personal information (e.g., name, address, Social Security number)
- Outdated information
- Late payments incorrectly reported
- Closed accounts shown as open
Step 2: Gather Documentation
To support your dispute, collect any documents that prove the information is incorrect, such as:
- Bank or loan statements
- Payment confirmations
- Letters from creditors
- Identity theft reports (if applicable)
Step 3: File a Dispute with Each Credit Bureau
Each bureau handles disputes separately, so if an error appears on all three reports, you must file disputes with all three.
How to Dispute with TransUnion
Online:
Go to the TransUnion Dispute Center: https://www.transunion.com/dispute-online
By Phone:
Call 800-916-8800
By Mail:
TransUnion Consumer Solutions
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Include:
- A copy of your credit report with the error circled
- A letter explaining the error
- Supporting documentation
Processing Time: Typically 30 days
How to Dispute with Experian
Online:
Use Experian’s dispute center: https://www.experian.com/disputes/main.html
By Phone:
Call the number listed on your Experian credit report (varies by person)
By Mail:
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
Include:
- A detailed letter
- A copy of your credit report
- Supporting documents
Processing Time: Usually within 30 days
How to Dispute with Equifax
Online:
Go to the Equifax Dispute Portal: https://www.equifax.com/personal/disputes/
By Phone:
Call 866-349-5191
By Mail:
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
Include:
- Your full name and address
- A description of the error
- A copy of your credit report
- Evidence supporting your claim
Processing Time: Typically up to 30 days
Step 4: Follow Up
After investigating your dispute, the credit bureau will inform you of the results in writing and provide a free updated copy of your credit report if changes are made.
If the bureau doesn’t correct the error, you can:
- Ask them to include a 100-word statement in your file
- File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
- Consider contacting the creditor directly
Tips for a Successful Dispute
- Be specific: Clearly identify the item and why it’s incorrect.
- Be factual: Stick to evidence and avoid emotional language.
- Be organized: Keep copies of everything you send and note dates.
Disputing errors on your credit report may seem tedious, but it’s well worth the effort to protect your credit health. By addressing inaccuracies quickly, you can avoid rental application rejections, higher interest rates, loan denials, or even missed job opportunities.