Identify the exact account or item that is wrong, explain the correction you want, and send supporting copies to the credit reporting company and the business that supplied the information. Keep submission records and review the investigation result. For identity theft, use the dedicated recovery process as well.
Pinpoint what is inaccurate or incomplete
Review the report itself. CFPB examples include accounts belonging to someone else, incorrect late-payment information, wrong balances, and duplicate debts. Note which reporting company shows the error; the same information may not appear on every report.
Official guidance: CFPB: Common credit report errors.
| Field | Example of the detail to record |
|---|---|
| Reporting company and report date | Which report contains the item you dispute |
| Account or entry | Enough detail to identify the affected record |
| Reported information | The balance, status, date, or ownership you believe is wrong |
| Requested correction | What the record should show and why |
| Supporting evidence | Statement, payment confirmation, closure letter, or other record |
An unfamiliar business name does not prove identity theft. Verify whether it is the lender behind a store account or a company that now services the debt. If you find an account you did not open, use the identity-theft steps below.
Contact the reporting company and the furnisher
The CFPB advises disputing with both the credit reporting company and the business that supplied the information, called the furnisher. Identify each error, explain your reason, request the correction, and include copies of relevant evidence. Use the current dispute instructions and contact information from the official company or your report.
Official guidance: CFPB: How do I dispute an error on my credit report?.
Keep the report page with the entry marked, your submission, and the confirmation. If you mail the dispute, retain a mailing record. Use secure channels for identifying information; do not post your report, Social Security number, or full account numbers in a public comment.
A general complaint letter may omit information needed for a credit dispute. Use the CFPB’s linked instructions and sample dispute letters as your starting point.
Explain one error with a matching record
A payment shown as late
My report dated [date] shows the [month] payment on account [identifier] as late. The attached payment confirmation shows that the creditor received the payment on [date]. Please investigate that payment status and correct it if your records confirm the error. I have marked the affected entry on the attached report page.
Only use this wording if it matches your records. A bank withdrawal date may differ from the date a creditor received or applied a payment, so attach the clearest available evidence. Avoid disputing accurate information merely because it lowers your score.
Track the investigation and read the result
The CFPB says a credit reporting company generally has 30 days to investigate a dispute, with up to 45 days in some circumstances. It has five business days after completing the investigation to notify you of the result. The official guidance explains the exceptions.
Official guidance: CFPB: Credit report dispute investigation timelines.
Record when the company received your dispute and any additional documents you sent. When the result arrives, compare the affected entry with your requested correction. A message that the investigation is complete does not necessarily mean the company agreed with you.
If the company says your dispute lacks information, identify the missing detail and respond with evidence. Keep the original case number and prior submission together.
Escalate an unresolved issue without skipping the direct dispute
For complaints against a credit reporting agency about inaccurate or incomplete report information, the CFPB’s complaint page instructs consumers to dispute directly with the reporting agency first. Follow its current eligibility and submission instructions when seeking further help.
Official guidance: CFPB: Submit a complaint about a financial product or service.
Explain what you disputed, when, how the company responded, and which error remains. Include the result letter and the evidence the response did not address. Do not submit repeated complaints simply to ask for a status update.
If someone used your identity to open an account, follow the identity theft recovery guide and IdentityTheft.gov instructions. If a collector is pursuing an amount you do not owe, the debt collection dispute guide addresses that separate process.
Common questions
Can I dispute an error without paying a credit-repair company?
Yes. You can use the credit reporting companies’ dispute processes and the CFPB’s free instructions yourself.
Will a successful dispute raise my credit score?
A correction does not guarantee a particular score change. The effect depends on the information corrected and the scoring model.
Should I start with a CFPB complaint?
For an inaccurate or incomplete report complaint against a credit reporting agency, dispute directly with that agency first and follow the CFPB’s current complaint instructions.
Keep going
Your next useful guide
Identity theft recovery
Report identity theft, contact affected companies, compare credit freezes with fraud alerts, and keep a recovery record for fraudulent accounts.
Problem guideDebt collection disputes
Verify a debt collector, review the validation notice, gather payment or identity records, and prepare a written dispute about a debt you do not owe.
Problem guideUnauthorized debit charges
Report debit-card charges you did not authorize, document the transactions, follow bank dispute instructions, and review the investigation outcome.
Preparation toolEvidence checklist
Organize receipts, messages, dates and billing records before making a consumer complaint. Includes a checklist, evidence table and follow-up log.
Sources and page information
Official source links checked September 24, 2026. Requirements can change; use the relevant agency’s current instructions.
- CFPB: How do I dispute an error on my credit report?
- CFPB: Common credit report errors
- CFPB: Credit report dispute investigation timelines
- CFPB: Submit a complaint about a financial product or service
Prepared with AI assistance. Examples and worksheets are illustrative. This is general information, not legal advice. We do not submit complaints, determine eligibility, or guarantee a result.