If you find something wrong with your credit report, you should dispute it. You may contact both the credit reporting company and the creditor or institution that provided the information. Explain what you think is wrong and why.

TIP: To correct mistakes, it can help to contact both the credit reporting company and the source of the mistake. If you find a mistake in a report from one of the nationwide credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – you may file a dispute not only with the credit reporting company, but also directly with the source of the information, and include the same supporting documentation. However, there are certain types of disputes that creditors and furnishing institutions are not required to investigate. 

If you file a dispute by mail, your dispute letter should include your complete name, address, telephone number, report confirmation number, and account number for any account you may be disputing. Clearly identify each mistake, state the facts, explain why you are disputing the information, and request that it be removed or corrected.

In your letter, you may want to enclose a copy of the portion of your report that contains the disputed items and circle or highlight the disputed items. Include copies (not originals) of documents that support your position.

Send your letter of dispute to credit reporting companies by certified mail, return receipt requested, so that you will have a record that your letter was received. You can contact the nationwide credit reporting companies online, by mail, or by phone:

Equifax
Online: www.ai.equifax.com/CreditInvestigation
By mail: Download this form and mail with your letter to: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
By phone: Phone number provided on credit report

Experian
Online: www.experian.com/disputes/main.html
By mail: Address provided on your credit report
By phone: Phone number provided on credit report 

TransUnion
Online: www.transunion.com/personal-credit/credit-disputes-alerts-freezes.page
By mail: Download this form and mail it with your letter to: TransUnion Consumer Solutions P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA, 19022-2000
By phone: 800-916-8800

Keep copies of your dispute letter and enclosures.

If you suspect that the error on your report is a result of identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Fighting Back Against Identity Theft website for information about identity theft and steps to take if you have been victimized. This will include filing a fraud alert and possibly filing a security freeze.