1. Get your reports
Get your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com — request your free reports from all three bureaus there. Each bureau keeps its own file, so check all three — an error may appear on one and not the others.
Education · Guide
How to dispute a credit report error
A plain-language walkthrough of the whole process — from pulling your reports to tracking the bureau's reply — with a free letter generator at the end. Educational information only — not legal advice.
2. Identify the error
An error is information that is wrong: a payment marked late that was on time, a wrong balance, an account that isn't yours, or a duplicate collection. Accurate negative information — even a late payment that really happened — is not an error and is not automatically eligible for removal.
3. Gather your evidence
Collect bank statements, payment confirmations, and any correspondence that shows what is correct. Make copies — never mail originals — and black out unrelated account numbers and personal details.
4. Write your dispute letter
State who you are, the specific item, what is reported, what is actually correct, and why you believe it is wrong. Ask the bureau to reinvestigate and to correct or delete the item if it is inaccurate, incomplete, or cannot be verified. Use the generator below to build yours.
5. Mail it the right way
Sign the letter in ink, attach copies of your photo ID and proof of address, and send it by USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt so you have proof of delivery. Verify the bureau's current mailing address on its official website before sending.
6. Track the response
The bureau generally has 30 days from receipt to reinvestigate — 45 days in certain circumstances, such as when you send more information during the investigation. The results will say the item was corrected, deleted, verified, or that more information is needed.
7. Follow up if needed
If the item is verified but you still believe it is wrong, you can dispute again with new or clearer evidence, dispute directly with the company that furnished the information, or ask that a statement of dispute be added to your file.
Build your dispute letter
Fill in the fields and your letter builds itself on the right, addressed to the bureau you choose. Print it, sign it, and mail it yourself — free. Anything left blank appears as a [bracketed placeholder] for you to fill in by hand.
Send to
Never enter your full Social Security number or full account numbers.
[Your full name] [Your street address] [City, State ZIP] October 7, 2026 Experian P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013 Re: Dispute of inaccurate information — [Creditor or company name], account ending in [last 4 digits] To whom it may concern: I am writing to dispute information in my credit file that I believe is inaccurate or incomplete, and to request a reinvestigation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The item I am disputing: [Creditor or company name], account ending in [last 4 digits]. What is reported: [Describe what the report says] What is correct: [State what is actually correct] Why I believe it is wrong: [Explain the facts in your own words] Please conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of this item, forward the relevant information to the company that reported it, and correct or delete the item if it is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or cannot be verified. Please also send me written results of your investigation and, on request, a description of the procedure used. Enclosed are copies of my photo identification, proof of my current address, and supporting documents. Sincerely, [Your full name] Enclosures: copy of photo ID, proof of address, supporting documents
Before you mail it
- Sign the letter in ink and attach copies (never originals) of your photo ID and proof of address.
- Send it by USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt so you have proof of delivery.
- The bureau generally has 30 days from receipt to reinvestigate. Verify the bureau's current mailing address on its official website before sending.
Want two letter styles, per-bureau downloads, and response tracking with follow-up letters? Create a free account and use the full letter builder.