Credit Report Errors & Disputes

Errors on a credit report can cost you approvals, better rates and peace of mind. MetaCredit helps consumers nationwide find inaccurate information and dispute it properly with the credit reporting agencies (CRAs) — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — and with the companies that furnished it.

Common credit report errors we see

• Accounts that aren't yours, or mixed files with someone else's information
• Wrong balances, credit limits or payment history
• Late payments reported in months you paid on time
• The same debt reported more than once, by the original creditor and a collector
• Accounts reported past the 7-year reporting period
• Wrong personal information: names, addresses, employers

How the dispute process works

1. Review all three reports. We pull and audit your Equifax, Experian and TransUnion reports line by line.
2. Document the errors. We identify what is inaccurate or incomplete and gather your proof.
3. Send written disputes. Disputes go out by certified mail so there is a paper trail.
4. Track every deadline. CRAs generally have 30 days to reinvestigate a dispute. We track responses and follow up.
5. Escalate when the law is broken. If a CRA or furnisher ignores a valid dispute, that may support a claim under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Your rights under the FCRA

The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires CRAs to follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy, and to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation when you dispute an item. Companies that furnish information must investigate disputes the CRA forwards to them. Accurate, timely information can legally stay on your report — but inaccurate or unverifiable information should be corrected or deleted.

Learn more about FCRA claims.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a credit report dispute take?

Credit reporting agencies generally have 30 days to complete a reinvestigation after receiving your dispute, sometimes 45 days if you send more information during that period.

Can you remove accurate negative items?

No one can lawfully remove accurate, timely information. We focus on information that is inaccurate, incomplete or cannot be verified.

Do I need to dispute with all three CRAs?

Each CRA keeps its own file, so an error on one report may or may not appear on the others. We review all three and dispute where the error appears.

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Educational only. Not legal advice. James Wilhite is not an attorney at law. MetaCredit is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Results depend on the facts of each case and are not guaranteed.