Get free copies of your reports from all three bureaus at annualcreditreport.com and mark each item you believe is wrong. Gather documents that support your position, such as statements or payment confirmations. Then file a written dispute with the bureau reporting the item, online, by mail or by phone. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the bureau generally has 30 days to investigate and must correct or delete information it cannot verify.
Include your full name and address, the name of each item as it appears on your report, the account number (a partial number is fine), and a plain statement of what is wrong, such as an incorrect balance, an account that is not yours, or a paid account listed as open. Attach copies of supporting documents, never originals, and keep a record of everything you send. If you mail it, use a method that gives you proof of delivery.
You can. When a bureau receives your dispute, it must notify the company that furnished the information, and that company must investigate what the bureau sends it. Contacting the company directly can also fix a simple error faster. Keep notes of every call, including the date, the representative's name and what was promised, and follow up in writing.
You can ask the bureau how it verified the item, and you can add a statement of dispute of up to 100 words to your file. You can also submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau through consumerfinance.gov. Accurate and verifiable negative information does not have to be removed, so disputes work best for real errors.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026 by Sandra Ruiz, CEO.
Start with a free consultation and a general review of your credit scores from the three bureaus. Individual results vary.