Debt and credit · Updated Oct 2026
There's a mistake on my credit report
You have the right to dispute wrong or incomplete information with the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and with the company that reported it. A bureau generally must investigate and finish within 30 days of getting your dispute (up to 45 in some cases). Most negative items, like accounts in collection, can't be reported after about 7 years; bankruptcies after 10.
This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case.
Build your plan
Choose your state and answer 2 quick questions. The plan below changes as you answer: steps that don't fit your answers are hidden, and your state's deadlines appear. It all happens in your browser. Nothing is sent, and the page address holds only your answers.
Your plan
Do now
Get your free credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Why: It is the official site authorized by federal law; each bureau's report can be different.
Mark every error and gather proof: payment records, letters, account statements.
Why: The bureau must consider the documents you send.
If you answered “An account that isn't mine” to “What kind of mistake is it?”
If an account isn't yours, go to IdentityTheft.gov first.
Why: An identity theft report lets you ask the bureaus to block the fraudulent information within 4 business days.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
This week
Send a dispute to each bureau that shows the error (online or by certified mail), using the letter below. Include copies, not originals.
Why: The bureau must investigate, forward your information to the company that reported it, and tell you the result.
If you answered “Two or three / I haven't checked all three” to “Is the mistake on one credit report or more?”
If the error is on more than one report, or you haven't checked all three, dispute separately with each bureau that shows it.
Why: Each bureau keeps its own file; a fix at one doesn't automatically fix the others.
Also dispute directly with the company that reported the item (the furnisher).
Why: Furnishers generally must investigate disputes sent to them and correct wrong information with all the bureaus.
If you answered “Old item that should be gone” to “What kind of mistake is it?”
Check the dates: collection accounts generally can't be reported after 7 years; bankruptcies after 10.
Why: Outdated negative items must come off.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
If it's not resolved
Wait for results (usually within 30 days; up to 45 if you send more information during the investigation or disputed after getting your free annual report).
Why: The bureau must send you the results and a free updated report if anything changed.
If the error stays, add a short statement of dispute to your file and file a complaint with the CFPB.
Why: The statement goes to anyone who gets your report; the CFPB forwards complaints to the company.
If the error keeps causing denials of credit, housing or jobs, talk to a consumer lawyer.
Why: The FCRA lets you sue for damages and attorney's fees for some violations.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
Deadlines
Credit bureau must finish its investigation
General rule: 30 days from receiving your dispute; up to 15 more days if you send new relevant information during that time
How long negative items can be reported
General rule: Most negative items, including collections: 7 years. Bankruptcy: 10 years
Identity-theft block
General rule: Bureau must block identity-theft information within 4 business days of getting your request and identity theft report
Documents to gather
- Copies of your credit reports with errors marked
- Proof (statements, receipts, letters, court records)
- Copy of your ID and proof of address (bureaus often ask)
- Copies of dispute letters and certified mail receipts
- FTC identity theft report, if the account isn't yours
Letters you can send
Fill in the blanks; the letter updates as you type. Copy it, print it or save it as a text file. Nothing you type is sent or saved: it stays on this page until you close it.
Credit report dispute
Ask a credit bureau to investigate and correct or delete wrong information.
[Today's date] [Bureau name] [Bureau address] Re: Dispute of information in my credit file (report number [Report number]) My name is [Your name], date of birth [Date of birth], address [Your address]. I dispute the following information in my file: [Item list] This information is wrong because: [Reason] Please investigate and correct or delete it. Enclosed are copies of: [Enclosures], and a copy of my report with the items marked. [Your name]
Where to go
- FederalAnnualCreditReport.com
Get free reports from all three bureaus
- FederalIdentityTheft.gov (FTC)
An account or inquiry isn't yours
- FederalConsumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint
A collector, lender, bank or credit bureau breaks the rules or won't fix a problem
- FederalLegal aid (Legal Services Corporation finder)
You need free legal help and have low or moderate income
Costs
Disputes and your reports from AnnualCreditReport.com are free. Paid 'credit repair' companies can't legally remove accurate information and can't charge before doing the work.
Talk to a lawyer if
- The bureau or furnisher refuses to fix a clear error after your dispute
- The error caused you to be denied a loan, apartment, job or insurance
- Someone else's accounts are mixed into your file
Free help
Free civil legal aid for people with low income: find your local program through the Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help) or LawHelp.org (lawhelp.org). Many legal aid offices handle debt collection lawsuits, garnishment and bankruptcy. Servicemembers can use their base legal (JAG) office.
Questions
What is the credit bureau must finish its investigation?
30 days from receiving your dispute; up to 15 more days if you send new relevant information during that time
What is the how long negative items can be reported?
Most negative items, including collections: 7 years. Bankruptcy: 10 years
What is the identity-theft block?
Bureau must block identity-theft information within 4 business days of getting your request and identity theft report
When should I talk to a lawyer?
The bureau or furnisher refuses to fix a clear error after your dispute; The error caused you to be denied a loan, apartment, job or insurance; Someone else's accounts are mixed into your file.
How much does it cost?
Disputes and your reports from AnnualCreditReport.com are free. Paid 'credit repair' companies can't legally remove accurate information and can't charge before doing the work.
Plans by state
This plan is the same in every state. Each state's RobinClaim page lists its courts, agencies and deadlines:
Sources
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681i (FCRA disputes)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681c (how long items stay on a credit report)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2 (blocking identity-theft information)
- CFPB: How do I dispute an error on my credit report?
- CFPB: Credit reports and scores
- AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports authorized by federal law)
- FTC: IdentityTheft.gov
- CFPB: Submit a complaint
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681j (45 days after a free annual report)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1679b (credit repair companies cannot charge in advance)
Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-24.
This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.