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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsU.S. consumers can request free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review each report, then dispute an error with every credit reporting company (bureau) showing it and with the company that supplied the information. Disputes are free; keep copies of your evidence and submission records while the companies investigate.
How to get your free credit reports
Go to AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site the Federal Trade Commission directs consumers to use for free reports. The federal baseline is one free report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), whose guidance was modified January 30, 2025. A credit report is not the same as a credit score; a score is not automatically included with a free report.
There is also a time-limited Equifax provision: through December 2026, consumers may obtain up to six additional free Equifax reports during any 12-month period under a settlement described by the CFPB. This extra access applies to Equifax, not as an additional entitlement from all three companies. Check the official site for the current request options.
What to check in each report
Review all three files, since an error may appear in one report but not the others. Check your identifying information, accounts, balances, and payment history. Look for accounts you do not recognize, information that may belong to someone with a similar name, duplicate entries, and account details that are incomplete or incorrect.
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If you find a problem, note the exact company, account, and entry involved, which report contains it, and what you believe is wrong. Gather records that support your explanation, such as account statements or payment confirmations. Send copies rather than original documents, and retain copies of everything you submit.
Where to send a dispute
Contact both the credit reporting company displaying the error and the furnisher—the lender, creditor, or other business that supplied the information. The bureau investigates the entry in its file; the furnisher investigates information it provided. Disputing with one does not replace contacting the other.
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| Recipient | What to dispute | How to find the route |
|---|---|---|
| Credit reporting company | The inaccurate or incomplete item in that company’s report | Use the dispute process and address shown in the report or on the company’s official site. The FTC says disputes can be made online or by phone, and gives guidance for disputes by mail. |
| Information furnisher | The information the business supplied to the bureau | Use the business’s dispute address or process, which may be listed on the report or in its account materials. |
Choose a channel that lets you explain the issue clearly and preserve a record. Online, phone, and mail options may differ in how evidence can be sent; no channel guarantees a particular outcome. If you mail a dispute, keep a copy of the letter and supporting documents, along with proof of mailing or delivery.
How to dispute a credit report error
- Identify the entry. Name the account or record, the bureau report it appears on, and the specific detail you believe is wrong or incomplete.
- Explain why it is wrong. Be direct and item-by-item. State what the report should show, where possible, and include relevant context rather than a general request to remove the entry.
- Attach supporting records. Send copies, not originals. Include only material that helps establish the issue, and keep a full copy of the submission.
- Submit to each relevant bureau and furnisher. Follow the instructions for the chosen channel. Keep confirmation numbers, correspondence, delivery proof, and the date you submitted each dispute.
- Review the response and report. Check the written investigation results and, if a change is made, the updated report for accuracy.
How long a credit report dispute takes
The FTC says, “However you filed your dispute, the credit bureau has 30 days to investigate it.” That is the usual period, not a universal promise that every case will be resolved within 30 days. The Fair Credit Reporting Act generally provides a 30-day reinvestigation period and permits up to 15 additional days in a specified circumstance: when the consumer provides relevant information during the initial period, subject to the statute’s limits. The CFPB also describes a 45-day period for certain disputes filed after a consumer receives a free annual report.
The furnisher generally must investigate and respond as well. If the investigation finds that information is inaccurate or incomplete, the responsible company must correct or delete it as applicable. Keep track of when each company receives your dispute and read its response for the result and any next steps.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do if the error is not corrected
Read the investigation results carefully and compare them with the evidence you sent. If the report remains inaccurate or the explanation does not resolve your concern, you may be able to add a statement of dispute to your file and can consider submitting a complaint through the CFPB’s consumer resources. Keep the correspondence and records together in case you need to explain the history of the issue.
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A dispute does not guarantee deletion. Information that is verified as accurate may remain on a report. You have the right to challenge inaccuracies for free; the CFPB cautions that accurate negative information generally cannot be removed simply because it is unfavorable. Be wary of paid credit-repair services that promise to erase accurate information.
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