Information checked: September 9, 2026.
Federal law lets you dispute inaccurate or incomplete credit-report information for free. The most complete approach is to dispute with both the credit bureau showing the error and the company that supplied it.
Key answer: Identify the exact account and field, explain why it is wrong, attach copies of supporting documents, and keep proof of submission. Investigations generally take 30 days, with some cases taking up to 45 days. Accurate negative information generally cannot be removed simply because it hurts your score.
Table of contents
- Common errors
- Dispute with the bureau
- Dispute with the furnisher
- Deadlines and results
- If the result is wrong
- Frequently asked questions
Common errors
- Wrong name, address, or mixed file
- Account not belonging to you
- Closed account reported open
- Wrong owner or authorized-user status
- Incorrect late payment, balance, limit, or dates
- Same debt reported more than once
Dispute with the bureau
Use the instructions on the report or CFPB's sample letter. Name the bureau, report number, creditor, account, and disputed field. State the correction requested and attach only relevant copies, such as statements, payment confirmations, identity-theft report, or court documents.
A bureau may reject a dispute it reasonably finds frivolous or irrelevant, including one that lacks enough information. It must explain that decision, generally within five business days after making it.
Dispute with the furnisher
Also write to the bank, lender, collector, landlord, or other business that supplied the data. Send to the dispute address on the report or designated by the company. CFPB recommends a written dispute and certified mail for a paper submission. Keep originals.
Deadlines and results
A credit bureau generally investigates within 30 days. Some investigations can take up to 45 days, including when additional relevant information is submitted during the investigation or under specified free-report circumstances. The bureau generally has five business days after completion to notify you and provide results.
If information is inaccurate or cannot be verified, it must be corrected or removed. A furnisher correcting data must notify the bureaus to which it sent the wrong information.
If the result is wrong
Review the investigation report and updated credit file. Send targeted new evidence rather than repeating the same unsupported statement. You may ask to add a brief dispute statement to your file. CFPB currently instructs consumers to finish the direct bureau dispute or allow 45 days before filing certain credit-reporting complaints with the Bureau.
If the error results from identity theft, use IdentityTheft.gov and follow the blocking and fraud-alert steps.
Frequently asked questions
Does a dispute cost money?
No. You can dispute inaccuracies directly for free.
Can I remove an accurate late payment?
Generally not through an accuracy dispute. Claims that anyone can erase accurate current information are a warning sign.
Should I dispute with all three bureaus?
Dispute with every bureau displaying the error; one bureau's correction may not automatically fix another file.
Final checklist
Pull all three reports, identify each exact error, dispute with both bureau and furnisher, attach copies, track the 30-to-45-day window, and review the updated reports.
Related guides
- Free Credit Report: The Official Website and How to Check All Three Bureaus
- Medical Bill Sent to Collections: Dispute Rights and First Steps