✉️ How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Credit-report disputes are free. Both the credit bureau and the company that supplied inaccurate information—the furnisher—have responsibilities for correcting wrong or incomplete records.
The FTC dispute guide recommends clearly identifying each item, explaining the error, requesting correction or deletion, and including copies of supporting documents. Keep originals.
Dispute identity-theft accounts through the FTC recovery process as well. A regular accuracy dispute and an identity-theft block can require different documents.
📋 Documents you'll need
- Current credit report showing the disputed item
- Government-issued ID and proof of address if requested
- Account statements, payment records, court records, cancellation letters, or identity-theft report
- Written explanation identifying each error and requested correction
- Copies—not originals—of supporting evidence
- Proof of delivery for mailed disputes
🪜 Step-by-step
- Get current reports and mark every disputed item.
- Gather documents that show why the information is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Write a separate, specific explanation for each item.
- Submit the dispute to the reporting credit bureau through its official method.
- Send a matching dispute to the company that supplied the information.
- Keep copies, confirmation numbers, and certified-mail receipts when mailing.
- Review investigation results and an updated report.
- Add new evidence, complain to the CFPB, or seek legal advice if a valid error remains.
| Estimated cost | Free. A bureau or furnisher cannot charge a fee to investigate a legitimate dispute. |
|---|---|
| Typical timeline | Credit-bureau investigations are commonly completed within 30 days, though some circumstances allow up to 45 days. Delivery and furnisher updates can add time. |
Frequently asked questions
Should I dispute with both organizations?
The FTC recommends contacting both the credit bureau and the business that supplied the inaccurate information.
Can I send original documents?
No. Send copies and keep originals in a secure file.
What if the error comes from identity theft?
Create an FTC Identity Theft Report and follow identity-theft blocking procedures in addition to ordinary disputes.