Send your dispute directly to each credit bureau reporting the error, in writing, by mail. As of this writing the dispute addresses are:
- Equifax — P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
- Experian — P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
- TransUnion — P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
You have to dispute with each bureau separately; fixing Equifax does nothing for Experian. You can also dispute online or by phone, and online is fine for simple errors. But mail with certified return receipt gives you a paper record, and if the error ever turns into a lawsuit, that record is evidence.
How do I get my reports in the first place?
Free at AnnualCreditReport.com, from all three bureaus, weekly. The old once-a-year limit is gone; the bureaus made weekly free reports permanent. Pull all three, because errors rarely appear on all of them at once.
What should the dispute letter include?
Identify yourself, identify the exact item, say what’s wrong, and attach proof. The bureaus require identification before they’ll process a dispute; expect to include your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and a copy of a government ID and a utility bill or similar proof of address. Send copies, never originals.
Be specific about the error. “This account is not mine” or “the balance is $1,940, not $4,900” beats a page of legal boilerplate. Dispute-mill template letters get sideways looks from bureaus and courts alike.
What happens after I dispute?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681i, gives the bureau 30 days to investigate (45 in limited situations). The bureau forwards your dispute to the furnisher, the company that reported the item, which has its own duty to investigate under § 1681s-2(b). You then get written results. If the item is verified and you still believe it’s wrong, that’s not the end. It’s usually the beginning of the legally interesting part.
What if they “verify” information that’s wrong?
This is where FCRA claims are born. Once you’ve disputed and the error survives, you can sue the bureau, the furnisher, or both. Damages can include your actual losses (credit denials, higher rates, stress), statutory damages of $100 to $1,000 for willful violations, punitive damages, and your attorney’s fees under §§ 1681n and 1681o. Because the statute shifts fees, we handle these cases with no attorney’s fees out of your pocket; we’ll explain exactly how fees and costs work before you hire us.
John C. Hubbard, LLC has taken credit reporting error cases to trial in Alabama. If your dispute came back “verified” and the report is still wrong, contact us.
FAQ
Should I dispute online or by mail? Mail, certified, if the error is serious. Online is faster but leaves you with a thinner record and check-box dispute categories that may not fit your situation.
How long does a dispute take? 30 days from when the bureau receives it, 45 in limited cases. The clock starts on receipt, not when you mail it.
Do I dispute with the bureau or the company that reported the error? The bureau, first and always. A bureau dispute is what triggers the furnisher’s legal duty to investigate, and it’s what preserves your FCRA lawsuit if they get it wrong. Disputing only with the furnisher can leave key claims on the table.
By John C. Hubbard, Consumer Protection Attorney · Last reviewed July 2, 2026
This article is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its facts.