# How to Dispute Mistakes On Your Credit Report
Errors on your credit report can wreck your score and cost you money. The good news is you have legal tools to fix them.
Start by getting your credit report from all three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can pull free reports annually at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only government-sanctioned site for this. Review each report carefully for inaccuracies like wrong account information, accounts you didn't open, or payments marked late when you paid on time.
When you spot an error, file a dispute directly with the credit bureau reporting it. You can dispute online through each bureau's website, by mail, or by phone. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires bureaus to investigate your claim within 30 days and remove inaccurate information. Provide copies of supporting documents with your dispute, like payment confirmations or bank statements proving you paid an account on time.
Also dispute the error with the creditor or company that reported it. Send a certified letter with documentation attached. Many errors stem from creditor reporting mistakes, and pushing back directly often gets faster results.
Keep detailed records of everything. Document your dispute submission dates, what you disputed, and all correspondence. If the bureau doesn't fix the error within 30 days, follow up with a second dispute request.
If a bureau refuses to correct a legitimate error, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This creates an official record and often prompts action.
Disputed errors don't automatically disappear from your report while under investigation, but once confirmed as false, they must come off within days. The process takes patience, but correcting inaccuracies can boost your score significantly. A higher score means better interest rates on mortgages, car loans, and credit cards, potentially saving thousands of dollars