Disputing Items on Your Credit Report

If you find errors in your credit report, contact the reporting agency and the creditor that provided the information. The credit report should contain instructions about disputing information contained within the report. It is very important to contact both the reporting agency and the creditor.

How can I correct an error?

Provide information and documentation supporting your dispute. Then you need to wait to see if the creditor will remove or amend the item in dispute.

• If the error involves a false credit card charge for something you never ordered or never received, you must contact the creditor (the business or entity that mischarged you) within 60 days of receiving the bill with the first error. Learn more about disputing credit card errors at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.
• If the creditor resolves the disputed item(s) in your favor, the creditor must notify all of the credit reporting agencies to which it submitted the erroneous information.
• If the creditor does not resolve the disputed item(s), you can ask for a statement of the dispute to be included in your file for future reporting. This applies only to items you have submitted to the reporting agency and the creditor. That is why it’s important to file disputes with both parties. 
• If you still are not satisfied with the result of the dispute, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). 
• Keep your original documents when filing a dispute. Keep a file of any disputed items along with dated original documents, dated copies of letters or other written correspondence, dated notes about conversations, and other relevant records