An error on your credit report can cost you real money — higher interest rates, a denied loan or apartment, or even a lost job offer. Under the U.S. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete, and the credit bureau generally has to investigate.
You can dispute online, but a written credit report dispute letter gives you a clear paper trail and lets you include all your evidence. Here’s how to do it, plus a free template.
Note: This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports
You can get free credit reports from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — through the official site AnnualCreditReport.com. Review all three, because an error may appear on one report and not the others.
Step 2: Identify the Errors
Common credit report errors include:
- Accounts that aren’t yours (possible identity theft or mixed files)
- Wrong personal information (name, address, Social Security number)
- Payments marked late when you paid on time
- Wrong balances or credit limits
- Accounts shown as open when you closed them
- The same debt listed twice
- Old negative items that should have been removed (most negative information can stay up to 7 years; certain bankruptcies up to 10)
Highlight or circle each error on a copy of your report.
Step 3: Gather Proof
Collect copies (never originals) of anything that supports your dispute:
- Bank statements or cancelled checks showing payments
- Account closure letters
- Payoff or settlement letters
- An identity theft report from IdentityTheft.gov, if relevant
- A copy of your ID and proof of address (bureaus often ask for these)
What to Include in a Credit Report Dispute Letter
- Your full name, address and date of birth
- Your report confirmation number, if your report has one
- Each item you’re disputing, with the creditor name and account number
- Why each item is wrong
- What you want — deletion or correction
- A list of enclosures
Credit Report Dispute Letter Template
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date of Birth][Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Dispute address from the bureau’s official website]Re: Dispute of Inaccurate Information — Report No. [Number, if available]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to dispute the following information in my credit file. The items I dispute are circled on the attached copy of my report.
Item 1: [Creditor name], Account No. [last 4 digits]. This information is inaccurate because [e.g. “I paid this account in full on (date). The account should show a zero balance and be reported as paid.”]. I request that this item be [corrected/removed].
Item 2: [Creditor name], Account No. [last 4 digits]. This account does not belong to me. I have never opened an account with this company. I request that this item be deleted.
Enclosed are copies of [list documents] that support my position.
Please investigate these matters and [delete/correct] the disputed items as soon as possible. Please also send me the results of your investigation and an updated copy of my credit report.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed Name]Enclosures: [list]
Step 4: Send It the Right Way
- Find the current dispute mailing address on each bureau’s official website.
- Send it by certified mail with return receipt requested so you can prove when it arrived.
- Keep copies of your letter and every enclosure.
Step 5: Also Dispute With the Company That Reported It
The company that supplied the information — your bank, card issuer or lender (called the “furnisher”) — also has a duty to investigate disputes and correct errors. Sending a similar letter directly to them can speed things up.
What Happens Next?
- The bureau generally must investigate within 30 days of receiving your dispute (this can be extended to 45 days in some cases, for example if you send more information during the investigation).
- The bureau forwards your evidence to the furnisher, which must review it.
- You should receive written results. If the information is changed or deleted, you can ask the bureau to send a notice of the correction to anyone who received your report in the past six months.
If Your Dispute Is Rejected
- Add a brief statement to your credit file explaining your side.
- Send new evidence and dispute again.
- File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
- Talk to a consumer protection attorney, especially if a company keeps reporting information you can prove is wrong.
Avoid Credit Repair Scams
Be wary of any company that charges upfront fees, promises to remove accurate negative information, or tells you to create a “new” credit identity. Everything in this guide you can do yourself, for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to dispute online or by mail?
Both are valid. Mail gives you a strong paper trail and lets you include detailed evidence; online can be faster. Whichever you choose, keep records.
Can disputing an error hurt my credit score?
No. Disputing an error does not lower your score. Correcting it may raise it.
Can I dispute accurate negative information?
You can dispute anything you believe is inaccurate, but accurate, timely information can legally stay on your report. Focus on real errors.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal or financial advice. For help with your situation, contact a qualified professional or the CFPB.