Finding a mistake on your credit report is frustrating, but you do have the power to fix it. Your credit history affects things like loans, jobs, and insurance (consumer.ftc.gov), so it’s worth taking action. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) lets you dispute anything inaccurate or incomplete on your report (experian.com). In practice, that means writing a clear dispute letter and mailing it to the credit bureau. Let’s break down what to include, where to send it, and what happens next in simple terms.
Writing Your Dispute Letter
Keep your tone polite but direct. Start by identifying yourself clearly. Include your full name, current address, date of birth, and Social Security number (if you have one) (experian.com , consumerfinance.gov). You can also mention previous addresses if needed. Then list each error you’re disputing. For each item, give the account number or company name and explain why it’s wrong. For example: “Account #1234 shows a late payment on 10/1/2021, but I paid on 9/30.”
Be as specific and factual as possible (experian.com).
Attach copies of documents that back up your claim (never send originals). This could be a statement showing you paid on time, a police report if it’s identity theft, or a court document if it’s a legal issue (experian.com ,consumerfinance.gov). Experian and the CFPB both recommend enclosing a copy of your credit report with the disputed items circled (consumer.ftc.gov , consumerfinance.gov_. Also include a copy of your ID and a recent utility or bank statement as proof of your identity and address (experian.com , consumerfinance.gov).
In short, your letter should say who you are, what is wrong, and why, and include proofs. Ask the bureau to remove or correct the inaccurate information. The FTC suggests sending the letter by certified mail with a return receipt, so you have proof it arrived (consumer.ftc.gov). Keep copies of everything you send (consumer.ftc.gov).
Your Name Your Address City, State, ZIP Code Phone Number Email Address Date [Credit Bureau Name] [Credit Bureau Address] City, State, ZIP Code Subject: Credit Report Dispute – [Your Account Number] To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to dispute the following information in my credit report. I obtained my credit report from [Equifax/Experian/TransUnion] and have found an error that needs to be corrected. The account in question: Creditor Name: [Creditor] Account Number: [XXXXXXX] Error: [e.g., Incorrect balance, account not mine, late payment reported in error] I am requesting that this item be investigated and removed from my report as it is inaccurate. I have attached copies of supporting documents for your review. Please correct or delete this inaccurate information and send me an updated copy of my credit report once the investigation is complete. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, [Your Signature if mailing] [Your Printed Name]
Who to Send the Dispute To
Send your letter to each credit bureau that shows the mistake on your report. (You can get free reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com to check which ones contain the error(consumer.ftc.gov.) In many cases you’ll mail it to the bureau directly. You can also notify the original creditor or company that provided the incorrect information (consumerfinance.gov); if they agree there’s an error, they’re supposed to tell all the credit bureaus to fix it.
Addresses for the Credit Bureaus
When disputing by mail, use these exact addresses (only include copies of documents, not originals):
- Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013 (experian.com)
- Equifax: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374 (assets.equifax.com)
- TransUnion: TransUnion LLC (Consumer Dispute Center), P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016-2000(transunion.com)
Some sources list Experian as “P.O. Box 9701, Allen, TX 75013” instead. However, the official Experian guidelines use P.O. Box 4500 (experian.com.) Always check that you have the most current address before sending.
What Happens After You Send the Letter
After you mail your dispute, the credit bureau must investigate within 30 days (sometimes a bit longer if they mail for an extension) (consumer.ftc.gov). They will forward your letter and evidence to the lender or entity that reported the item. That company must investigate and report back.
- 30-Day Timeline: The bureau will notify you of the results in writing once the investigation is done(consumer.ftc.gov). If the information is found to be wrong, it must be corrected or deleted. If so, the bureau must also send you a free updated credit report (consumer.ftc.gov). (This free report is in addition to your annual free report.)
- If the Bureau Says Your Dispute Is Frivolous: The bureau can stop investigating if it thinks the dispute is frivolous or irrelevant. If this happens, they must explain why, and you can provide more evidence or clarify your dispute (consumer.ftc.gov). It usually means your letter wasn’t clear, so make sure you’ve given all needed info and docs.
- Keep an Eye Out: In the mail, you’ll get a letter with the results. It will say whether each item was changed or verified as accurate. Meanwhile, keep copies of your dispute and tracking receipts, and after about 35–40 days, check your credit report again to confirm what happened.
What If Errors Aren’t Fixed?
If the bureau completes the investigation and doesn’t remove the error, don’t lose hope. You have other options:
- Contact the Lender Directly: Call or write the company that reported the error (the data furnisher). Explain the discrepancy and ask them to correct their records (experian.com). If they agree something’s wrong, they’re required to notify all bureaus to fix it.
- Re-File Your Dispute: You can submit another dispute with any new evidence you didn’t include before(experian.com). Just be sure it’s not the exact same letter — add clarity or documents.
- Add a Statement of Dispute: The FCRA lets you add a brief personal statement to your credit file explaining the error (experian.com , consumerfinance.gov). It won’t remove the item, but lenders will see it. For example: “I am disputing this late payment because I paid on time — see attached bank record.” Experian and others allow you to upload this statement to your report (experian.com).
- File a Complaint: If you feel your dispute wasn’t handled properly, you can complain to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or your state attorney general (consumerfinance.gov). In severe cases (like willful non-compliance by a bureau), you even have the right to sue for damages under the FCRAconsumerfinance.gov. But usually, contacting the lender and re-disputing solves the issue.
Next Steps and Credit Cleanup
Once you’ve gone through the dispute process, continue to monitor and improve your credit:
- Check Your Reports Regularly: Make it a habit to review your credit reports at least once a year – you’re entitled to one free report from each bureau annually (consumer.ftc.gov , experian.com). Regular checks help you spot any new errors or fraud early.
- Practice Good Credit Habits: If the disputed info was inaccurate and removed, great — your score may rise(experian.com). If not, focus on building credit: pay all bills on time, keep balances low (below ~30% of your limits), and avoid unnecessary new credit. Positive actions like these are the best way to improve your score over time (removing inaccurate negatives can also give a boost (experian.com).
- Consider Alerts or Freezes: If identity theft was involved, place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your reports. Visit IdentityTheft.gov for steps. Otherwise, you might try credit monitoring services or alerts to catch any suspicious activity early.
- Stay Persistent: Cleaning up your credit can take a few rounds of action. If something still looks off, repeat the steps above. You have the right to an accurate report, so keep pushing until it’s fixed.
Remember, you’re not alone and there’s no charge for disputing errors experian.com. By following these steps — writing a clear letter, sending it to the right places, and following up — you can correct mistakes and get your credit history back on track.
