Get mistakes corrected so they don't affect your credit score.© Andrii Zastrozhnov/stock.adobe.com; Photo illustration Encyclopædia Britannica, IncYou’ve heard that a good credit score helps you avoid higher borrowing costs, denied applications, or financial plans going off track. But what if the problem with your score isn’t something you did? What if there’s an error on your credit report—an account you don’t recognize, a late payment you never missed, or outdated information that should have disappeared years ago?

　　Inaccuracies on credit reports are more common than you might think. Thankfully, federal law gives you the right to challenge inaccurate credit information. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) outlines how credit bureaus and data providers (such as lenders, creditors, banks, and credit card companies) must investigate disputes and correct verified mistakes. When you follow the process correctly, you can typically fix errors and limit the damage to your credit profile.

　　Discovering mistakes on your credit report can be frustrating. The good news is you don’t need to be a credit expert to exercise your rights. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to dispute credit report errors along with a behind-the-scenes look at the credit bureau investigation process. Plus, learn about common credit report errors and what you can do if a credit bureau refuses to make a correction.

　　What is a credit report error?A credit report error is any information on your credit report that is inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, or does not belong to you. Federal law requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain accurate records, but mistakes still happen due to data entry issues, fraud, reporting delays, or credit information being mistakenly attributed to the wrong person.

　　Common credit report errors include accounts you never opened, balances that don’t match your statements, misreported late payments, duplicate accounts, and negative information that should have aged off your report—for example, a late payment from more than seven years ago that still appears on your credit history. Errors can appear on one credit report or multiple, so it’s a good idea to review your credit information from all three major credit bureaus—Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.

　　But remember: Not every negative credit item qualifies as an error. Accurate late payments, valid debt collection accounts, and charge-offs (debts a lender has written off) usually aren’t eligible for removal through the dispute process, even if they feel frustrating or unfair. The focus of the credit dispute process is accuracy, not financial hardship.

　　How to check your credit reports for errorsYou can access your credit reports for free through AnnualCreditReport.com, the only federally authorized source for consumer credit reports. The website allows you to request reports from Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian as often as once a week.

　　When you check your reports, take your time and review each section with care. Credit errors often show up in boring places—old addresses, slightly wrong balances, or dates that don’t quite line up.

　　Information to reviewPersonal identifying information (PII). Check your name, address history, date of birth, and Social Security number for mistakes. Account ownership and status. Confirm that every account on your credit report belongs to you and reflects the correct status. Look for unfamiliar creditors, accounts marked open that should be closed, or incorrect negative account statuses (delinquent, charged-off, collection, and so on).  Balances and credit limits. Compare reported balances and credit limits against your statements. Mistakes could inflate your credit utilization ratio, which may lower your credit score even if you pay your credit card bills on time. Payment history. Review reported payment dates in detail, especially late payments. A single incorrect late payment could affect both credit scores and future lender decisions such as loan approvals and interest rates. Reporting timelines. Check account opening dates, delinquency dates, and the age of negative information on your credit report. Federal law limits how long most negative items can stay on your report (usually to seven years), and outdated information may qualify for removal. Small inaccuracies could be a sign of larger reporting problems, especially when someone else’s credit information is mistakenly attached to yours or identity theft is involved.

　　Your credit history creates a “story” of you.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.How to dispute errors on your credit reportOnce you identify a credit error, you can begin the formal dispute process. Federal law gives you the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information that appears on your consumer credit reports. And you don’t have to pay a fee to file a dispute.

　　Gather documentation. Before filing a dispute, collect records that support your claim. Useful documents may include billing statements, payment confirmations, account closure letters, official identity theft reports, or correspondence from lenders. Clear documentation can help credit bureaus understand the issue and evaluate your dispute more effectively.File a dispute with credit bureaus, data furnishers, or both. You can dispute errors directly with the credit bureau(s) reporting the inaccurate information, the company that sent the data to the credit bureau—the “furnisher,” in credit industry lingo—or both at the same time. Filing with the credit bureau(s) often makes sense when the error affects multiple accounts. A dispute with the furnisher may help when the error involves a specific lender or account.Wait during the investigation period. After receiving your dispute, a credit bureau must investigate and forward relevant information to the data furnisher. Most investigations conclude within 30 days, although the timeline can extend to 45 days if you submit additional information. During this period, the furnisher must verify the accuracy of the disputed information. Review the results and follow up if needed. Once the investigation ends, the credit bureau must notify you of the outcome of your dispute in writing. If the bureau corrects or removes the error, it should also provide an updated copy of your credit report. If the bureau verifies the information (leaving your credit report unchanged), you still have options for further action, from providing more supporting documentation to escalating the issue to regulators.How to monitor your credit reports for accuracy going forwardYou can’t always prevent credit report errors. Credit bureaus and lenders control how information enters the system, and identity theft is often outside a consumer’s control. But active credit monitoring can help you catch problems earlier—before they cause long-term damage. Here are a few habits that can help reduce risk and give you more control over your credit.

　　Place a credit freezeA credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, which makes it harder for fraudsters to open unauthorized accounts in your name. Federal law allows consumers to place and remove credit freezes for free at all three credit bureaus. A freeze doesn’t affect your credit score, and it remains in place until you remove it.

　　Use fraud alerts after identity theftFraud alerts notify lenders that they should take extra steps to verify your identity before approving new credit in your name. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and can work well if you suspect suspicious activity. Extended fraud alerts last seven years and require an official identity theft report.

　　Check your credit reports regularlyFrequent credit report reviews can help you catch credit errors early and hopefully avoid long-term damage. AnnualCreditReport.com gives you free access to credit reports from all three bureaus. Consider checking your credit more often during major life events.

　　Credit monitoring doesn’t eliminate credit errors, but it gives you more control. The sooner you identify a problem, the faster you can take action to try to limit its impact.

　　The bottom lineCredit report errors can happen to anyone, even when you manage your finances responsibly. The good news is that federal law gives you the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete credit information. Understanding your rights—and the process by which you fix any credit report errors—can help you  protect your credit scores and any financial opportunities that depend on a solid score.

　　When you review your credit reports carefully, document any errors you see, and follow proper dispute procedures, you can take control of your credit profile. Ongoing credit monitoring adds another layer of protection. Credit freezes, fraud alerts, and regular credit checks won’t stop every mistake, but they can help you spot problems sooner and respond with confidence.

　　Accuracy matters in credit reporting. Taking a few proactive steps can help you protect your credit and keep it working for you.

　　ReferencesWhat Are Common Credit Report Errors that I Should Look for on my Credit Report? | consumerfinance.govHow Do I Dispute an Error on My Credit Report? | consumerfinance.gov [PDF] A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act | consumer.ftc.gov