File a dispute directly with the credit bureau
The three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—each have online dispute portals on their websites. You can file a dispute without hiring anyone or paying a fee. Go to the bureau's website, find the dispute section, and describe what you believe is wrong: a late payment that wasn't late, an account you didn't open, a balance that's incorrect, or a debt that's been paid off but still shows as open.
The bureau must investigate your claim within 30 days. They contact the creditor or lender who reported the information and ask them to verify it. If the creditor can't verify the account or the specific detail you're disputing, the bureau removes it or corrects it. If they verify it as accurate, it stays on your report.
You don't need to prove the information is wrong—the creditor has to prove it's right. That's an important distinction. If you're disputing a $500 balance but the creditor's records show $500, they'll verify it. But if their records are disorganized or they can't locate the account quickly, they may not respond in time, and the item gets removed by default.
Key Takeaways
- Each of the three major bureaus has its own online dispute portal, and you file with the bureau that's reporting the error, not with the creditor directly.
- The bureau has 30 days to investigate and contact the creditor; if the creditor doesn't respond or can't verify the information, the item is removed.
- You can dispute online, by mail, or by phone, but online is fastest because the bureau receives your claim when ready and the clock starts right away.
- After the bureau investigates, they send you a written result explaining what they found and whether the item was removed, corrected, or verified as accurate.
- If you disagree with the result, you can add a consumer statement to your report explaining your side, though this does not remove the item.
Dispute with Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion online
Visit the dispute page for the specific bureau reporting the error. Equifax's online dispute tool is at equifax.com/personal/disputes. Experian's is at experian.com/disputes. TransUnion's is at transunion.com/disputes. Each one asks you to create an account or log in, then walks you through describing the item and why you believe it's inaccurate.
Be specific about what's wrong. Don't just say "this account is fraudulent"—explain what makes it fraudulent. For example: "I never opened this account. I have no record of explore, and I don't recognize the creditor. This is not my debt." Or: "This account shows a late payment in March 2022, but I have bank statements showing I paid on time." The more detail you give, the easier it is for the bureau to investigate.
After you submit, the bureau assigns your dispute a reference number. Write this down. The bureau will contact you by mail with the results, usually within 30 to 45 days. Some bureaus also let you check the status of your dispute online using your reference number.
What happens during the investigation
Once you file, the bureau sends your dispute to the creditor or lender who reported the information. The creditor has a important date—usually 30 days—to respond and verify that the information is accurate. They do this by checking their own records. If the account exists and the details match what they have on file, they verify it. If they can't find the account, can't locate the records, or don't respond in time, the bureau removes the item.
The creditor might also update the information if they find an error on their end. For example, if you dispute a late payment and the creditor realizes they reported the wrong date, they correct it. This doesn't remove the item, but it makes it accurate.
If the creditor verifies the information as correct, the bureau keeps it on your report. You can then file a second dispute if you have new evidence, or you can add a consumer statement explaining your position. A consumer statement doesn't remove the item, but it appears next to it when someone views your report.
Dispute a fraudulent account or identity theft
If you're disputing an account you didn't open, tell the bureau this is fraud or identity theft. This moves your case faster and may trigger additional protections. The bureau may place a fraud alert on your file, which tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
You can also file an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. This creates an official record and gives you a recovery plan. The FTC doesn't investigate, but the report helps when you contact creditors and bureaus—you can show them the FTC report number as proof.
If the fraudulent account is recent and the balance is high, contact the creditor directly by phone to report the fraud and ask them to close the account. Then file your dispute with the bureau. Doing both speeds up removal because the creditor already knows the account is fraudulent when the bureau contacts them.
Dispute by mail if you prefer not to go online
You can mail a dispute letter to any bureau instead of using their online portal. Send a letter explaining what you're disputing and why. Include a copy of any supporting documents—bank statements, payment receipts, letters from the creditor, anything that backs up your claim. Do not send originals; send copies only.
Mail your letter to the bureau's dispute address. You can find the correct address on their website or on your credit report. Send it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof the bureau received it. Keep a copy for your records.
Mailing takes longer than filing online because the bureau has to receive the letter, scan it, and enter it into their system. Online disputes are processed when ready. If speed matters—for example, if you're about to explore for a mortgage—file online.
What to do if the dispute is denied
If the bureau investigates and the creditor verifies the information as accurate, the item stays on your report. This doesn't mean you're out of options. You can file a second dispute if you have new evidence the creditor didn't see the first time. For example, if you disputed a late payment and the creditor verified it, but you later find a bank statement proving you paid on time, file again with that statement attached.
You can also add a consumer statement to your report. This is a note, up to 100 words, explaining your side of the story. It appears next to the disputed item when someone views your report. A consumer statement doesn't remove the item or change your score, but it provides context. For example: "I dispute this late payment. I have bank records showing payment was made on time. The creditor's records may be outdated."
If you believe the bureau or creditor violated the law during the investigation, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov. You can also consult a lawyer about suing for damages, though this is rare and usually only happens in cases of repeated violations or identity theft.
How long disputed items stay on your report
If the bureau removes an item because the creditor couldn't verify it, it's gone when ready. If the item is corrected—for example, the date is fixed—the corrected version stays on your report. If the item is verified as accurate, it remains for the standard time period: seven years for most negative items like late payments or charge-offs, and ten years for bankruptcy.
A consumer statement you add stays on your report as long as the item itself does. If the item is later removed, the statement is removed too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to dispute with all three bureaus or just the one with the error?
Dispute with the bureau reporting the error. If only Equifax has the wrong information, file with Equifax. However, if all three bureaus have the same error, file with all three. You can file multiple disputes at once—there's no limit on how many you can file.
Can I dispute the same item more than once?
Yes, but only if you have new information or evidence. If you file the same dispute twice with no new details, the bureau may dismiss the second one as frivolous. If you find a bank statement or letter proving your point, file again and include that evidence.
Will disputing hurt my credit score?
No. Filing a dispute does not lower your score. Checking your own credit report does not lower your score either. Only hard inquiries from creditors and lenders affect your score, and those happen when you explore for new credit.
How long does it take to see results after I dispute?
The bureau has 30 days by law. In practice, most disputes are resolved within 30 to 45 days. You'll receive written notice by mail explaining what they found. If the item is removed, it may take a few days to disappear from your online credit report.
What if the creditor doesn't respond to the bureau's investigation?
If the creditor doesn't respond within the important date, the bureau removes the item. This is one reason disputing works—many creditors are slow to respond or can't locate old records quickly. You don't have to prove anything; the creditor has to prove the item is accurate.