You have the right to dispute inaccurate information on your own report for free. Here is the exact process, start to finish, and where a coach can save you time.
Step 1: Pull all three reports
Start with your reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Items often appear on one bureau and not another, so you need to see all three before you begin.
Step 2: Mark every inaccuracy
Look for wrong balances, accounts that are not yours, duplicate entries, wrong dates, or a status that does not match reality. Write down the bureau, the account, and exactly what is wrong.
Step 3: File the dispute in writing
Send your dispute to the bureau reporting the error and keep a copy. Explain clearly what is inaccurate and include any supporting documents. A specific, well-documented dispute works better than a vague one.
Step 4: The 30-day investigation
Once a bureau receives your dispute, it generally has about 30 days to investigate. It contacts the company that reported the item, reviews your evidence, and then corrects, deletes, or verifies it.
Step 5: If it comes back verified
A verified result is not the end. You can ask how it was verified, add a statement to your file, dispute again with new evidence, or take the issue up with the company that furnished the information.
We challenge items that are inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable, and we never promise to remove accurate information. When an item is correct, we focus on the parts of your score you can still build.
An accurate item that has to stay does not mean your credit can't improve. Your score is built from several parts — payment history, balances, the age of your accounts, and your credit mix — so there are still legitimate ways to move it forward, such as adding a positive tradeline, lowering your balances, and building new on-time history. This is exactly where a credit coach can help.
See how credit scores work →These guides are general educational information, not legal or financial advice. Individual results are unique and vary. You have the right to dispute inaccurate information on your own credit report at no cost.