Guides / Credit
Found an error on your credit report?
Disputing is free, and you can do it yourself.
Errors on credit reports are more common than people think: accounts that aren't yours, wrong balances, late payments that weren't late. You have the right to dispute them for free.
How to dispute
- Get your reports from AnnualCreditReport.com
- Note each error and gather proof
- File a dispute with each bureau showing the error, online or by mail
- Also contact the company that reported the information
- Keep copies of everything
Be careful with paid "credit repair"
No one can legally remove accurate, timely information from your report. Companies promising to do so for a fee are a red flag. Under federal law, credit repair companies can't charge you before they perform services. Learn more at ConsumerFinance.gov.
Accounts that aren't yours?
That may be identity theft. See IdentityTheft.gov.
General educational information, not financial or tax advice. Cents and Common Sense isn't paid by any bank, lender or card company.