30-day investigation window
How to dispute errors on your credit report
Federal law guarantees a free credit report from each bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com. Dispute errors in writing with the bureau and the furnisher (the lender). Bureaus must investigate within 30 days; unverifiable items must be removed. Common errors include accounts that aren't yours, incorrect balances, and outdated negative items past the 7-year reporting limit.
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Try calculatorKey takeaways
04 · ideas- FTC research suggests 1 in 5 credit reports may contain an error
- Disputes must be investigated within 30 days under FCRA
- Unverifiable items must be corrected or removed
- Disputing accurate negative information is unlikely to result in removal
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives consumers the right to dispute inaccurate or unverifiable information on their credit reports. The three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — are each required to investigate disputes and respond within 30 days.
Common credit report errors:- Accounts that belong to someone else
- Payments marked late that were made on time
- Negative information past the reporting time limit (most negatives drop off after 7 years)
- Duplicate accounts
- Incorrect balance or credit limit information
Free annual access: Each bureau provides one free credit report per year at AnnualCreditReport.com.