CLEARBORROW · PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 12, 2026
How to dispute an error on your credit report
Dispute the error in writing with each credit bureau that shows it and with the company that reported it (the “furnisher”). Explain what is wrong, ask for it to be corrected or removed, and attach copies of proof. Bureaus generally have 30 days to investigate, sometimes 45. It is free — you never need to pay a credit repair company to do it.
On this page
Step by step
- Get your reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and circle each error.
- Gather copies (never originals) of proof: statements, cleared checks, payoff letters, an identity-theft report.
- Send a dispute to each bureau showing the error — online, by phone or by certified mail with return receipt.
- Send a separate written dispute to the furnisher at the dispute address on your report.
- Keep copies of everything and the dates you sent them.
- Check the results and your updated report.
Steps follow the CFPB’s guidance (CFPB ↗).
What to include
- Your full name, address and phone number; the report confirmation number if you have one.
- Each item you dispute, with the account number.
- Why it is wrong and what you want: removal or correction.
- A copy of the report page with the item highlighted.
The CFPB publishes a free sample dispute letter ↗.
What happens next
| Stage | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Bureau investigation | Generally 30 days, up to 45 in some cases; results within 5 business days after |
| Furnisher investigation | Generally must investigate and respond within 30 days of receiving your dispute |
| If corrected | The furnisher must notify the bureaus it reported to; bureaus update your file |
| If not corrected | You can add a statement of dispute to your file and complain to the CFPB |
| “Frivolous” disputes | A bureau can decline a dispute without enough detail but must tell you why within 5 business days |
Sources: CFPB ↗, CFPB timeline ↗.
What a dispute cannot do
Accurate negative information generally cannot be removed. Anyone who promises to delete accurate late payments for a fee is probably running a credit repair scam (CFPB ↗).
If the bureau or lender will not fix it
After disputing with the bureau, you can submit a complaint to the CFPB; companies generally respond within 15 days (CFPB ↗).
Questions
Should I dispute online or by mail?
Either works. Certified mail with a return receipt gives you proof of what you sent and when.
Will a dispute lower my score?
No. Disputing is your legal right and does not count as a credit application.
Can I dispute a debt that is mine but reported wrong?
Yes — for example a wrong balance, a wrong late date or an account listed twice.
Sources and limits
- CFPB: how do I dispute an error on my credit report? ↗
- CFPB: disputing credit report errors (30 days, up to 45 in some cases) ↗
- CFPB: sample credit report dispute letter (PDF) ↗
- CFPB: can accurate negative information be removed? ↗
- CFPB: submit a complaint ↗
- FTC: disputing errors on your credit reports ↗
Sources checked November 12, 2026. This is general information, not legal, tax or benefits advice; rules differ by state. Worked examples are our own arithmetic, not offers. How we use sources.