--- title: How to Dispute Your Credit Report in 2025 description: Knowing how to dispute your credit could help remove negative items from your credit report and improve your score. Learn more. authors: - name: Susan Bischoff url: https://money.com/author/susan-bischoff/ at_money_since: 2023 articles: 15 covers: - Credit - Banking - Business - Insurance - Loans - Mortgages former_staff: true editors: - name: Kristen Bahler role: Managing Editor url: https://money.com/author/kristen-bahler/ bio: Kristen Bahler has spent more than a decade turning culture, work and consumer spending trends into conversation-driving stories. Today, she leads Money's sponsored content channel and reader-favorite franchises like Best Places to Live and Best Places to Travel. education: Northeastern University, MA Journalism at_money_since: 2016 articles: 52 covers: - Credit - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit Cards - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology social: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-bahler/ updaters: - name: Pete Grieve role: Lead News Reporter url: https://money.com/author/pete-grieve/ bio: Pete Grieve is a personal finance reporter. In his time at Money, Pete has covered everything from car buying to credit cards to the housing market. education: University of Chicago, BA Political Science at_money_since: 2022 articles: 602 covers: - Credit - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes social: - https://twitter.com/pete_grieve - https://linkedin.com/in/pete-grieve-b5aa02138 - https://www.facebook.com/petegrieve4 published: '2025-02-26T19:06:24.000Z' modified: '2025-02-26T19:06:24.000Z' section: Credit tags: - Credit - Guides - guiding content word_count: 1697 canonical: https://money.com/how-to-dispute-credit-report/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![How to Dispute Your Credit Report in 2025](https://money.com/content.money.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Credit-How-to-dispute-credit-report.jpg?crop=0px%2C160px%2C2880px%2C1620px&resize=1012%2C569&quality=85&strip&ssl=1) ## Our Partners ### TOP PARTNER ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/28241/medium_ae18ab6b-f004-4597-a78c-b5057ebf3778.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/54d1d2da199f?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-dispute-credit-report%2F&bidid=4108089632&ptid=670135636&ptoken=87064ab2f5e0ee1eea67bfe5a735db39&zip=20149) 🥇 Most Affordable Credit Help Company! - The advisory team helps you take the necessary steps to improve your credit health overall - Setup or First Work Fee: $99 - $195 - Monthly Fees: $79.99 - $139.99 - Over 10,000 Google Reviews at 4.8 Stars - 90-day Money-Back Guarantee * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/541/medium_AEPRGHMZaPsbrAuaWpZtkFWwSMTooS.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/69e15f8bc854?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-dispute-credit-report%2F&bidid=4108089629&ptid=670135636&ptoken=ccc9da3561b45a8cee1abd8929520aa5&zip=20149) Get your free credit assessment today! - Licensed attorneys, paralegals, and personalized score improvement strategies - $139.95 per Month - $1M coverage in identity theft - Mobile app allows you to monitor the development of your case - Free credit assessment - Cancel Anytime * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/1992/medium_Sky_Blue_Credit_Repair_Logo.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/5b596be5c093?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-dispute-credit-report%2F&bidid=4108089631&ptid=670135636&ptoken=04659791f3280bc859eac4b1b364e147&zip=20149) Offers a single, low-cost credit repair package - ​​Pause and resume your membership at will through your online account - Setup or First Work Fee: $79 ($119 for couples) - Monthly Fees: $79, $99 or $119 ($119, $149 or $179 for couples) - Discounts available for couples - 90-day Money-Back Guarantee * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/544/medium_AzCOfmOSdIObukHTtkAFkkVcednFPx.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/17fbe1eed85d?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-dispute-credit-report%2F&bidid=4108089633&ptid=670135636&ptoken=673f203437839824f08a8682ed47c0c1&zip=20149) All plans include unlimited disputes to all three credit bureaus - Monthly fees: $99 or $119 - Flat-rate six month fee for $599 also available - First work fee: $45 - No available discounts - Money-back satisfaction guarantee refunds the month you cancel the service and previous month * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/29349/medium_5f909068-0d8c-41f9-91b3-62c42c6b942c.webp) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/9c5d026706c1?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-dispute-credit-report%2F&bidid=4108089635&ptid=670135636&ptoken=2955e03f23b6068dac7dd273674b22d8&zip=20149) Plans include financial management tools - Credit monitoring is included with every plan, regardless of the price - Setup or First Work Fee: $29 - $49\*\* - Monthly Fees: $69 - $149 - 60-day Money-Back Guarantee \*\*(With $100 back coupon orig. price of $129 - $149) * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/18442/medium_858ec71c-1bd8-43f5-b6dc-a05335c9cebb.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/3717158ced48?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-dispute-credit-report%2F&bidid=4108089638&ptid=670135636&ptoken=e0492368c4a0540ab76061e40c4c5b12&zip=20149) Over 15 years of experience in the industry - First work fee: $129 - Monthly fees: $129.99 - Includes free consultation, credit score analysis and more - No available discounts - 90-day money-back guarantee Like most people, you probably don't think about your [credit report](https://money.com/what-is-a-credit-report/) until you're alerted there's a problem. And by then, it can be challenging to get the errors corrected. Your credit report is one of the most important financial records you have, affecting your ability to get approved for a home loan, a student loan, new credit lines and much more. Over [a third](https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/almost-half-of-participants-in-credit-checkup-study-find-errors-on-credit-reports-more-than-a-quarter-find-serious-mistakes/) of Americans have inaccuracies in their credit information, according to a 2024 investigation by Consumer Reports. However, thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other laws designed to protect consumers, you have the right — and the ability — to dispute these errors. Read on to learn how to dispute your credit report and get some tips for making the process as smooth as possible. ### Table of contents - [How to dispute your credit report the right way](#how) - [Understand how the credit report dispute process works](#understand) - [Review the results of the investigation](#review) - [Check for updates to your credit report](#check) ## Take the first step to improve your credit ### Credit Saint works with credit bureaus and creditors to resolve issues with your credit report. Why wait? Select your state to start today! [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/b88f1c641645?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-dispute-credit-report%2F) ## How to dispute your credit report the right way There are many ways to fight errors on your credit report. You can file a dispute with the credit bureau, contact the company reporting the debt or use a [credit repair company](https://money.com/best-credit-repair-companies/) to do most of the work for you. No matter how you plan to go about it, it's important to know your rights and the most effective strategies. ### Identify errors in your credit report There are several types of credit report errors. Some of the most common include: - Incorrect personal information (name, current address, etc.) - Inaccurate account numbers, histories or balances - Accounts listed as open that have been closed - Duplicate accounts - Incorrect statements To identify these errors, the first step is to request a copy of your credit report. If you don’t know [how to check your credit](https://money.com/how-to-check-your-credit-report/), you can get started with a copy of the [free online credit report](https://money.com/free-weekly-credit-reports-permanent/) you’re entitled to weekly. Most websites will walk you through each section so you know what you’re reading and what you should be looking for, which may help if you aren’t quite sure [how to read your credit report](https://money.com/how-to-read-your-credit-report/). Once you get your credit report, read it over for errors. You should pay special attention to your demographic details to ensure they are correct. Mistaken identity can be a problem for people with a common first and last name or who share a name with a family member (think Bob Smith Sr. and Bob Smith Jr.). These names could cause others' information to appear on your credit report by mistake. You should also verify: - Name changes and aliases - Date of birth - Social Security number - Current and past home addresses - Phone numbers - Current and past employers After making sure this information is correct, you should check out the financial information listed, including: - Credit and loan accounts - Public records such as bankruptcies - Soft and hard credit inquiries When scrutinizing this information, pay attention to: - Dates - Balances - Status (open accounts, closed accounts, [charged-off](https://money.com/how-to-remove-charge-off-from-credit-report/), late payment, missed payment, etc.) The three major [credit reporting bureaus](https://money.com/what-are-credit-reporting-agencies/) (Equifax, TransUnion and Experian) each have different reporting procedures and rules for accuracy, but the basics are the same. Below, we'll cover what you should do after finding errors on your credit report. ## If this sounds overwhelming, contact a Credit Repair expert ### Credit Saint can identify and challenge questionable items on your behalf. Click below to start repairing your credit. [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/zcf423377f97?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-dispute-credit-report%2F) ### Understand how the credit report dispute process works Once you've identified errors on your credit report, it's time to start the dispute process. The first step is to contact the credit bureau that provided you with the report where the inaccuracies appear. In some cases, only one bureau may have inaccurate information. In others, all three may be reporting the same wrong information. You can send a letter or fill out an online dispute form to contact the bureau. Include all relevant documents supporting your claim and explain why you believe the disputed information is inaccurate. If you're submitting physical documents, use certified mail to ensure the protection of your personal information and sensitive data. You also have the option to request a return receipt through the U.S. Postal Service, which will provide you with documentation proving that your dispute was received by the bureau. The credit bureau should then investigate your claim and notify you of the dispute results. If they find that the information is incorrect, they'll remove or update it on your report. You should also receive a free copy of an updated credit report reflecting any changes. It's important to note that some disputes may take longer than others to resolve, and the credit bureaus are not required to remove or update anything that is determined to be correct information. Keep in mind that disputing information on your credit report can negatively affect your [credit score,](https://money.com/what-is-a-credit-score/) which can throw a wrench in your plans to open a new line of credit or increase your credit limit with an existing company. Think twice about submitting disputes without good reason, as frivolous disputes can backfire. If you try to [remove a collection](https://money.com/how-to-remove-collections-from-credit-report/) account, for example, there’s a chance your report will update to show recent collection activity — and knock your score down even lower. So make sure you weigh all the pros and cons before deciding to dispute an item on your credit report. ### Disputing your debt You can dispute a collection account with one or more credit bureaus by phone, online or by mail. Here’s the contact information you need to do that. | | **Online** | **Mail the dispute form with your dispute letter to:** | **Phone** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Equifax | [**www.equifax.com/personal/disputes/**](http://www.equifax.com/personal/disputes/) | Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30348 | 866-349-5191 | | Experian | [**www.experian.com/disputes**](http://www.experian.com/disputes) | Experian P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013 | 888-397-3742 | | TransUnion | [**www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/**](http://www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/) | TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016 | 800-916-8800 | #### Provide all the information required to dispute your credit report The more information you provide regarding your dispute, the better. You don't want to delay the process by leaving out crucial documents needed to update your credit report. #### Write a letter to the credit reporting agencies When disputing incorrect information on your credit report, it's important to provide the necessary documentation and information the credit bureau will need to investigate your dispute under the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website, your dispute letter to the credit bureau should contain the following information: - Each item in your report you dispute - Detailed facts regarding those items - An explanation of why you're disputing the information - A request that it be removed or updated - (Optional) An enclosed copy of your credit report with the items in question circled or highlighted You may also consider including a copy of your identification, proof of address like a utility bill and copies of any relevant documents, such as bills or receipts, to back up your claim about the information being incorrect. If you need help writing your dispute letters, there are a few consumer advocacy sites that can provide dispute letter templates and details regarding the information you should provide: - [FTC](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/sample-letter-disputing-errors-credit-reports-business-supplied-information) - [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/092016_cfpb__CreditReportingSampleLetter.pdf) (CFPB) - [annualcreditreport.com](https://www.annualcreditreport.com/filingADispute.action) #### File a dispute letter with the furnisher If the credit bureau doesn't remove or update the information you are disputing, you can file a dispute letter with the furnisher of the information (meaning the company that reported it, such as a lender or credit card company). This letter should outline why you believe the information is inaccurate and request corrections to your report. You should also explain why you are filing the dispute with the data furnisher and include any supporting documents. Once you've sent this letter, the company or creditor has 30 days to investigate your dispute. If it finds that the information is inaccurate, it must inform all three credit bureaus so they can update your report accordingly. Once you've submitted your dispute to either the credit reporting bureau or the furnisher, there's nothing left to do but wait. The standard response time is about 30 days, but the process can sometimes take longer. Even if the dispute doesn't end in your favor, that doesn't mean you'll be stuck with a ding on your credit report forever. ## Find a Credit Repair company that works for you ### 🥇 Most Affordable Credit Help Company! ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/28241/medium_ae18ab6b-f004-4597-a78c-b5057ebf3778.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/81974a561a3c?bidid=4108089604&pmeta=p129-c527-u25367&ptid=670135634&ptoken=2520238ac557d8cc9978c3b86eebc9bd) ### Take Steps Toward Improving Your Credit with a Trusted Legal Team ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/541/medium_AEPRGHMZaPsbrAuaWpZtkFWwSMTooS.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/149ea4d7063f?bidid=4108089601&pmeta=p129-c527-u25367&ptid=670135634&ptoken=9d1eb20a20810ad5d98a0fdd0344f140) ### Offers a single, low-cost credit repair package ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/1992/medium_Sky_Blue_Credit_Repair_Logo.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/bb8e3e42c535?bidid=4108089602&pmeta=p129-c527-u25367&ptid=670135634&ptoken=2d490355c2644edae4dceb9d69679f10) ### All plans include unlimited disputes to all three credit bureaus ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/544/medium_AzCOfmOSdIObukHTtkAFkkVcednFPx.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/b7d58a5fecbc?bidid=4108089607&pmeta=p129-c527-u25367&ptid=670135634&ptoken=9c0335753b979e8c08947543ae6af661) ### Even the most basic packages include financial management tools ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/29349/medium_5f909068-0d8c-41f9-91b3-62c42c6b942c.webp) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/312c6068b6bc?bidid=4108089609&pmeta=p129-c527-u25367&ptid=670135634&ptoken=823a9fe11ba2768112ed910ea27c0887) ### Review the results of the investigation Once the credit bureau has been informed of your dispute, it will then investigate your claim and notify you of the results. If it finds that the information is incorrect, it will remove or update the information on your report accordingly. You should also receive an updated free copy of your credit report reflecting the changes made. If a credit reporting bureau doesn't respond within the 30 days allotted by law, you can get the item removed from your credit report. Getting wrong, negative items removed your credit report — for example, credit card debt you don't owe — will likely lead to an improved credit score. ### Check for updates to your credit report It's a good idea to do an independent check of your records to make sure that your information has been updated, even if the credit reporting bureau or furnisher provides you with a copy of your credit report reflecting the changes. After that, keep pulling your credit score on a regular basis. Inaccuracies may crop up again due to errors, identity theft and other misfortunes, but again, you're entitled to one free online copy of your credit report every week from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. You can also sign up for [credit monitoring services](https://money.com/best-credit-monitoring-services/) that allow you access to your credit reports whenever. Also, keep in mind that many negative items will eventually drop off from your report if they are older than the reporting period. This includes late payments and collections, which will go away after seven years. If you aren't successful with your disputes, you can at least rest assured that these items will be removed with time. ## Credit report dispute FAQ ### Is it worth it to dispute my credit report? In most cases, disputing inaccurate negative items can help your credit score. In others, it could revive old debt accounts with new activity, temporarily decreasing your score. Make sure to consider all the pros and cons before filing a dispute with one of the credit bureaus. ### How long does it take to dispute your credit? Generally, the process can take up to 30 days for the credit bureaus to respond and act on the dispute. When a credit bureau does not respond in that timeframe, you're entitled to having the item taken off your credit report. ### Can disputes hurt your credit score? Disputing incorrect information on your credit report will not hurt your credit score. However, if the furnisher of the disputed item responds with valid information to support the negative item being reported, then it could result in a temporary decrease in your credit score. ### What happens if my credit report dispute is rejected? If your credit report dispute is rejected, the negative item you contested will remain on your credit history. You can always file another dispute with additional information or a new reason why said item should be updated or removed. ## Summary of Money's guide to disputing your credit report Disputing inaccurate information on your credit report is a time-consuming process, but it offers the potential for an [improved credit score](https://money.com/7-ways-to-improve-credit-score/). By knowing [how to remove negative items from your credit report](https://money.com/get-items-removed-from-credit-report/), you can increase your approval odds for accounts that require good credit — whether that’s a new credit card, apartment lease or something else. Make sure to consider all the potential outcomes of the dispute process before getting started. There are no guarantees, and there's a small chance that your credit score could decrease. Your best bet is to develop healthy financial habits, which will ultimately lead to a better credit score. ## More on Credit and Credit Repair | | | --- | | **Money’s Top Selection** [Best Credit Repair Companies](https://money.com/best-credit-repair-companies/) **Guides for Improving Your Credit** [How to Get Negative Items Removed from Your Credit Report](https://money.com/get-items-removed-from-credit-report/) [How to Remove Verizon Collections from Your Credit Report](https://money.com/how-to-remove-verizon-collections-from-your-credit-report/) [How to Remove Jefferson Capital Systems from Your Credit Report](https://money.com/how-to-remove-jefferson-capital-systems-from-your-credit-report/) [More on Credit and Credit Collections](https://money.com/collections/) **Money’s Credit Repair Companies Reviews** [Lexington Law](https://money.com/lexington-law-credit-repair-review/) [Credit Saint](https://money.com/credit-saint-credit-repair-review/) [Sky Blue](https://money.com/sky-blue-credit-repair-review/) | ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://money.com/how-to-dispute-credit-report/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://money.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Credit", "item": "https://money.com/credit/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Credit Dispute", "item": "https://money.com/credit-dispute/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "How to Dispute Your Credit Report in 2025" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://money.com/#website", "url": "https://money.com", "name": "Money", "publisher": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://money.com/how-to-dispute-credit-report/#webpage", "url": "https://money.com/how-to-dispute-credit-report/", "name": "How to Dispute Your Credit Report in 2025", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://money.com/#website" }, "datePublished": "2025-02-26T19:06:24.000Z", "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://money.com/how-to-dispute-credit-report/" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://money.com/how-to-dispute-credit-report/#breadcrumb" }, "dateModified": "2025-02-26T19:06:24.000Z" }, { "@type": "Article", "headline": "How to Dispute Your Credit Report in 2025", "articleSection": "Credit", "image": [ { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2022/10/Credit-How-to-dispute-credit-report.jpg?quality=85", "width": 2880, "height": 1920 } ], "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Susan Bischoff", "url": "https://money.com/author/susan-bischoff/", "@id": "https://money.com/author/susan-bischoff/#author" } ], "publisher": "https://money.com/#organization", "datePublished": "2025-02-26T19:06:24.000Z", "description": "Knowing how to dispute your credit could help remove negative items from your credit report and improve your score. 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