# How to Dispute Mistakes On Your Credit Report
Credit errors happen. A late payment that wasn't yours. An account you never opened. A paid debt still showing as delinquent. These mistakes tank your credit score and lock you out of better loan rates, insurance prices, and credit card offers.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the legal right to dispute inaccuracies. Here's how to fight back.
Start by obtaining your credit reports from all three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Visit annualcreditreport.com, the official source for free reports. You get one free report per bureau per year. Check for errors on all three, since each maintains different information.
Document the mistakes. Write down the account number, date opened, current balance, and what's wrong. Gather supporting evidence. Bank statements, payment confirmations, and letters showing you paid off the debt all strengthen your case.
File a dispute with the credit bureau that posted the error. You can dispute online, by mail, or by phone. The Federal Trade Commission offers a template dispute letter. Be specific about what's wrong and attach copies of your evidence. Keep originals for yourself.
The bureau must investigate within 30 days. They'll contact the company that reported the error and verify the information. If the creditor can't prove the item is accurate, the bureau removes it.
If the bureau rejects your dispute or the error persists, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or your state's attorney general. You can also hire a credit repair company, though the FTC warns many make false promises. Never pay upfront.
Correct information stays on your report for seven years for negative items. Bankruptcies last ten years. Positive information helps your score indefinitely.
This process takes time but costs nothing when you do it yourself