How do I dispute an error on my credit report?

File the dispute directly with the credit bureau that shows the error (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion), online, by mail, or by phone, and include copies of any documents that prove your case. By law the bureau generally must investigate within 30 days and remove or correct anything it can't verify. Be specific: identify the exact account, what's wrong (an account that isn't yours, a wrong balance, a payment marked late that wasn't), and what the correct information is. It often helps to dispute with the creditor that reported the data too. Keep records of everything you send. Common errors worth fighting include accounts from identity theft, debts past the reporting limit, and duplicate listings. If the bureau won't fix a clear error, you can add a 100-word statement to your file and escalate to the CFPB.