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Errors on your credit reports can cause your credit scores to be lower than they should be, which can affect your chances of getting a loan or credit card and how much interest you pay. Disputing credit report errors and getting those negative items removed can be a quick route to a better score.

Here's how to dispute credit report errors and have them removed in four steps.

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1. Check all three credit reports for errors

Through the end of 2023, you’re entitled to free weekly credit reports from the three major credit reporting bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Request them by using AnnualCreditReport.com.

There may be small differences among your reports, because some creditors don’t report your account activity to all three bureaus. But if negative information has popped up on one report, it’s wise to see whether it’s also on the other two.

There is no cost to dispute credit report errors, and you can dispute as many items as you like. Filing a dispute does not hurt your credit score, but the result of the dispute may have an effect on your score.

Which credit report errors should you dispute?

The most concerning errors are those that could hurt your scores or suggest identity theft. Those include:

• Wrong account status (such as a payment mistakenly reported late when you paid on time).

• An ex-spouse incorrectly listed on a loan or credit card.

• Wrong account numbers or accounts that aren’t yours.

• Inaccurate credit limits or loan balances.

• Accounts you don't recognize.

• Addresses where you've never lived.

Which credit report errors aren't worth disputing?

Small errors that don’t affect your score — like a misspelled former employer name or an outdated phone number — don’t hurt anyone’s assessment of your creditworthiness and aren't worth disputing.

And sometimes a negative mark might surprise you but is not an error. If it’s accurate, don't use the dispute process. Instead, try to resolve the problem directly with the creditor. For example, if you accidentally missed a payment, contact the creditor, arrange to pay up and ask if it will rescind the delinquency so it no longer appears on your reports.

The credit agencies are not obligated to investigate "frivolous" claims.

2. Gather materials to dispute errors

Your goal is to make it as easy and quick as possible for investigators to confirm that your complaint is valid. Depending on the error, the things you gather to support your case could include:

• Copies of credit card statements or loan documents

• Copies of bank statements

• Copies of birth or death certificates, or a divorce decree

• If you've reported identity theft, include a copy of your FTC complaint or police report.

Documentation to provide for your dispute

In addition to the above, you'll need to provide:

• Your Social Security number and date of birth

• A copy of government-issued identification (such as driver’s license or passport)

• Your current address and past addresses going back two years

• A copy of a utility bill or bank or insurance statement that includes your name and address

3. Dispute credit report errors

All three bureaus have an online dispute process, which is often the fastest way to fix a problem, or you can write a letter. You can also call the credit bureaus, but you may not be able to complete your dispute over the phone. Here's information for each bureau:

How to dispute Equifax credit report errors

• Write to Equifax, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256.

• Call 866-349-5191 and follow the prompts to speak to an agent.

How to dispute Experian credit report errors

• Write to Experian National Consumer Assistance Center, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013.

• Call 866-200-6020 to see if your dispute can be resolved by phone.

How to dispute TransUnion credit report errors

• Write to TransUnion LLC, Consumer Dispute Center, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016.

• Call 800-916-8800 and have a copy of your TransUnion credit report handy; the representative will need the file number.

How to check with the data furnisher

When you file a dispute, the Federal Trade Commission suggests also informing the company that provided the data to the credit bureaus, such as a bank, lender or card issuer, in writing. These sources of information are known as furnishers. Notifying the data furnisher may cause them to proactively stop reporting the inaccurate information to the credit bureau, although that's not guaranteed.

Send the letter to the company using the address it listed on your credit report. If there is no address listed, ask the company for one.

The FTC notes on its website: "If the provider continues to report the item you disputed to a credit reporting company, it must let the credit reporting company know about your dispute. And if you are correct — that is, if the information you dispute is found to be inaccurate or incomplete — the information provider must tell the credit reporting company to update or delete the item."

Frequently asked questions

How do you dispute something on your credit report?

You can dispute credit report errors by gathering documentation about the error and sending a letter to the credit bureau that created the report. All three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, have an online dispute process, which is often the fastest way to fix a problem.

Can disputing hurt your credit?

Filing a dispute with the credit bureaus has no impact on your score. If the information on your credit reports changes as a result of the dispute, however, that could affect your score (either positively or negatively).

How do I dispute all three credit bureaus?

All three bureaus have an online dispute process, which is often the fastest way to fix a problem, or you can write a letter. You can also call, but you may not be able to complete your dispute over the phone.

How do you dispute something on your credit report?

You can dispute credit report errors by gathering documentation about the error and sending a letter to the credit bureau that created the report. All three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, have an online dispute process, which is often the fastest way to fix a problem.

Can disputing hurt your credit?

Filing a dispute with the credit bureaus has no impact on your score. If the information on your credit reports changes as a result of the dispute, however, that could affect your score (either positively or negatively).

How do I dispute all three credit bureaus?

All three bureaus have an online dispute process, which is often the fastest way to fix a problem, or you can write a letter. You can also call, but you may not be able to complete your dispute over the phone.

4. Review the response to your dispute

The credit bureaus must investigate your dispute and then tell you the outcome in writing. Under most circumstances, the bureaus have to respond within 30 days.

If the credit bureau agrees it's an error

The bureau will remove the item and send you a new copy of your credit report. Review the new report to make sure it's right.

You can request that the bureau communicate the correction to anyone who received your report in the past six months. If anyone requested your credit for employment purposes in the last two years, you can ask for a corrected copy to be sent to them.

If the credit bureau disagrees

The bureau — or the furnisher — may disagree that the item is a mistake and refuse to remove it.

If you’re sure the item on your report is incorrect, it’s time to take it to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Explain what you’re disputing and provide copies of your proof. The CFPB will look into it, and you can follow progress with the email updates it sends or by logging in to the website.

Will removing a dispute hurt my credit?

How long does it take for a dispute to be removed from your credit report?