Understanding a credit report
A report lists personal information, accounts (tradelines), public records, collections, and inquiries. Each bureau keeps its own file, so reports can differ.
Education
Learn the essentials
Educational information only — not legal advice.
Featured guide
FCRA Section 611 dispute letters, explained
What the law requires when you dispute, what to put in your letter, and how to mail and track it yourself. Read the guide →
Step-by-step guide
How to dispute a credit report error
From pulling your reports to tracking the bureau's reply — with a free fill-in dispute letter generator built in. Read the guide →
Negative information versus reporting errors
A late payment that really happened is negative but accurate. An error is information that is wrong — a payment marked late that was on time, a wrong balance, or an account that isn't yours.
What to include in a dispute
Your name and address, the specific item, what is wrong, what is correct, why, and copies (never originals) of supporting documents.
How to organize supporting evidence
Keep statements, payment confirmations, and correspondence together. Redact unrelated account numbers and personal details before uploading or mailing.
What happens after mailing
The bureau generally has 30 days from receipt to reinvestigate, extended to 45 days in certain circumstances, such as when you obtained the report through your annual free report and dispute, or send more information during the investigation. Verify which applies to you.
How to review investigation results
Results may say corrected, deleted, verified, or that more information is needed. Read carefully and compare with an updated report before deciding on a next step.
Identity-theft resources
If someone used your identity, IdentityTheft.gov helps you create a report and recovery plan. Identity-theft blocks require truthful statements and documentation.
Credit-report disputes versus debt validation
Disputes with bureaus fall under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Debt validation is a separate right with debt collectors under the FDCPA — they are not interchangeable.
Why accurate negative information may remain
Federal law allows most accurate negative information to be reported for set periods, typically up to seven years, with exceptions such as some bankruptcies.
Free options for disputing errors
You can dispute directly with each bureau online, by phone, or by mail for free, and with the company that furnished the information.