The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report. Here's what you need to know.
Your rights under the FCRA
- Right to dispute: You can dispute any information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable
- 30–45 day investigation: Credit bureaus must investigate within 30 days (45 if you add documentation after filing)
- Right to results: The bureau must tell you the results in writing
- Right to correction: If the information is inaccurate, it must be corrected or removed
Important: You can dispute with the credit bureau, the furnisher (the company that reported the information), or both. Disputing with both maximizes your chances.
What to include in your dispute
- Your full name and address
- Last 4 digits of your SSN
- The specific item you're disputing and why
- Any supporting documentation
Tip: Mail your dispute certified with return receipt. The postmark proves you submitted within the investigation window.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.