How to Dispute a Credit Report Error
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If information on your credit report is wrong or incomplete, you can dispute it. A dispute asks the consumer reporting company to investigate a specific item and correct, update, or remove information that cannot be verified as reported. The process is about the accuracy of the report, not a request for a certain credit score.
Start by identifying the exact entry and collecting records that support your position. A clear, focused dispute is easier to investigate than a general complaint that says a whole report is inaccurate.
What can you dispute on a credit report?
You can dispute information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or does not belong to you. Common examples include an account opened by someone else, a balance that differs from your statement, a payment marked late when you paid on time, or personal information that is incorrect.
The CFPB explains that you can contact both the consumer reporting company and the business that supplied the information. Those are separate parts of the process. The reporting company maintains the report, while the furnisher may be a lender, collection company, or other business that provided the data.
| Problem you found | Useful supporting material |
|---|---|
| Account is not yours | Identity theft records, account correspondence, or proof of identity |
| Balance is wrong | A current statement, payoff letter, or payment record |
| Payment history is wrong | Bank confirmation, receipt, or lender communication |
| Personal information is wrong | Government identification or current address documentation |
Only send copies unless a company explicitly instructs you otherwise. Keep the originals and save every confirmation number or letter you receive.
How do you prepare a dispute?
First, obtain and save the report that shows the item. If you have not done so, see how to check your credit report. Mark the disputed entry and write a brief explanation in your own words.
Your explanation should include the account name or report reference, the information you believe is wrong, the correction you are requesting, and the documents that support that request. Avoid adding unrelated personal details. A dispute works best when the reviewer can connect the evidence to a specific line on the report.
The FTC's consumer guidance also recommends using the reporting company's dispute process and retaining copies of what you submit. A written record can help if you need to follow up later.
Where should you send the dispute?
Each consumer reporting company provides instructions for online, mail, and sometimes phone disputes. Use the contact details shown on the report or the company's official website. If you submit online, download or print the confirmation page. If you send mail, use a delivery method that gives you a record of delivery when that is appropriate for your situation.
You may also dispute directly with the business that supplied the information. Include the same focused explanation and supporting documents. The CFPB says that furnishers generally have duties to investigate disputes sent to them about information they provided.
Do not rely on a credit repair company to make basic factual corrections for you. You can submit a dispute yourself, and no service can lawfully promise a particular score outcome or guarantee removal of accurate negative information.
What happens after you submit it?
The reporting company generally reviews the dispute and contacts the furnisher where needed. It may ask for more information, update the report, leave the item unchanged, or remove an item that cannot be verified. Read the outcome notice carefully rather than looking only at whether a score moved.
If the result does not resolve the problem, compare the explanation with your evidence. You may need to correct a missing document, contact the furnisher directly, add a statement to your report where available, or submit a complaint through the CFPB if you believe a company did not follow the required process.
How does an error affect your credit score?
The effect depends on the item and the scoring model. A report correction may change a score, but there is no reliable way to predict the amount in advance. The priority is to make sure the report accurately represents your history. For context on that distinction, review credit report vs. credit score.
Frequently asked questions
Can I dispute accurate negative information?
You can dispute information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. Accurate information is not supposed to be removed simply because it is unfavorable.
Should I contact the reporting company or the lender first?
You can contact both. The CFPB explains that consumers may dispute with the reporting company and with the company that supplied the disputed information.
Will a dispute remove the item immediately?
No. The companies need time to investigate. Keep your records and review the result notice when the investigation is completed.
Sources checked: October 21, 2026. This content is for general information only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice.
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