How do I dispute an error on my credit report?
Answer: To dispute an error on your credit report, contact both the credit reporting company and the company that provided the information.
You should explain what you think is wrong, why, and include copies of documents that support your dispute.
If you find a mistake in a report from a credit reporting company, you may submit a dispute not only to the credit reporting company, but also directly to the company that is the source of the information. However, there are certain types of disputes that companies are not required to investigate.
If the company corrects your information as a result of your dispute, it must notify all of the credit reporting companies to which it provided the inaccurate information, so they can update their reports with the correct information.
If you submit a dispute by mail, your dispute letter should include your:
- Complete name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Report confirmation number, if available
- Account number for any account you may be disputing
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You should clearly identify each mistake, state the facts, explain why you are disputing the information, and request that it be removed or corrected.
In your letter, you may want to enclose a copy of the portion of your credit report that contains the disputed items and circle or highlight the disputed items. You should include copies (not originals) of documents that support your position.
Send your letter of dispute to credit reporting companies by certified mail and ask for a return receipt, so that you will have a record that your letter was received.
You can contact the nationwide credit reporting companies online, by mail, or by phone:
Equifax
Online: www.ai.equifax.com/CreditInvestigation
By mail: Click here to download the dispute form
Mail the dispute form with your letter to:
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
By phone: Phone number provided on credit report or (800) 864-2978
Experian
Online: www.experian.com/disputes/main.html
By mail: Use the address provided on your credit report or mail your letter to:
Experian
P.O. Box 4000
Allen, TX 75013
By phone: Phone number provided on credit report or (888) 397-3742
TransUnion
Online: www.transunion.com/personal-credit/credit-disputes-alerts-freezes.page
By mail: Click here to download the dispute form
Mail the dispute form with your letter to:
TransUnion Consumer Solutions
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
By phone: (800) 916-8800
Keep copies of your dispute letter and enclosures.
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If you have a credit reporting complaint, you can submit a complaint to the CFPB online. We’ll forward it to the company and work to get you a response.
Warning:
Do not include original copies of the documents you use to support your dispute.
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To correct mistakes, it helps to contact both the credit reporting company and the company that is the source of the information.
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If you suspect that the error on your report is a result of identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Fighting Back Against Identity Theft website for information about identity theft and steps to take if you have been victimized. This will include filing a fraud alert and possibly filing a security freeze.