# How to Dispute Mistakes On Your Credit Report
Errors on your credit report can tank your score and cost you thousands in higher interest rates. The good news: you have a legal right to challenge inaccurate information.
Start by getting a free copy of your credit report from all three bureaus. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, the official government site, to request reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at no cost. Review each report carefully for wrong accounts, incorrect balances, late payments you didn't make, or duplicate entries.
Once you spot an error, file a dispute directly with the credit bureau reporting it. You can do this online, by mail, or by phone. The bureau must investigate your claim within 30 days and contact you with results. If they confirm the error, they remove it from your report within a few days. If they don't investigate or respond, the item gets deleted automatically.
Send supporting documents with your dispute. Include copies of bills, payment receipts, or correspondence proving the error. Keep everything organized. A letter stating exactly what's wrong and why works better than vague complaints.
You can also dispute directly with the creditor or lender that reported the mistake. Many companies have online dispute portals on their websites. This creates a paper trail and often gets faster results.
If a bureau refuses to remove false information, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at no cost. The CFPB investigates and can force corrections.
After disputing, monitor your reports regularly. Mistakes sometimes reappear. You're entitled to one free report every 12 months from each bureau, or more frequently if you've been denied credit. Many credit card companies now offer free credit monitoring to cardholders.
Getting errors removed typically takes 30 to 60 days.