Your credit report has a crucial role in your financial health. However, credit report errors are more common than you might think, and even a small mistake can negatively impact your credit score.

If you’ve spotted incorrect information on your credit report, taking the right steps to dispute and correct those errors can help influence your ability to obtain financing, among other things.

Common credit report errors to watch for

Before you start the dispute process, it’s important to recognize the types of errors that could be affecting your credit score. Here are the most frequent mistakes:

Identity errors

Identity errors on a credit report can take several forms. These may include misspelled names, incorrect Social Security numbers, or inaccurate birth dates. Additionally, outdated or incorrect addresses and contact information can sometimes appear, leading to confusion.

In some cases, credit accounts belonging to someone with a similar name may mistakenly appear on your report, a problem known as mixed credit files.

Account errors

One common issue is incorrectly reporting accounts as late or delinquent, even when you made payments on time. Another frequent mistake is listing closed accounts as open, which can skew your credit utilization ratio.

You should also look for incorrect reporting of credit limits or balances, as these mistakes may lead to an inaccurate debt-to-credit ratio.

Fraudulent or unauthorized accounts

Fraudulent or unauthorized accounts can appear on your credit report due to identity theft. This includes accounts opened in your name without your permission. If you notice hard inquiries for credit applications you didn’t authorize, that indicates someone may have attempted to access credit using your identity.

Outdated or incorrect negative information

Outdated or incorrect negative information includes late payments or collections that should have been removed after seven years but still appear on your report. You may also see duplicate reporting of the same debt, making it seem like you owe more than you do.

Missing accounts

When accounts that should be listed are absent, it’s often because a lender has not reported them to all three major credit bureaus. Since not all lenders report to every bureau, some credit activity may not be reflected across all reports.

How to fix credit report errors

If you find an error, you should follow these steps to correct it:

1. Review your credit report carefully

Start obtaining free copies of your credit reports fromm AnnualCreditReport.com. Carefully examine each section of your report for mistakes, particularly in account statuses, balances, and personal information.

2. Gather supporting documents

To strengthen your dispute, collect documents that prove the error. Having the below documentation ready before submitting your dispute can help speed up the resolution process.

Personal identification

• Government-issued ID (driver’s license or passport)
• Social Security card
• Proof of address (utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement)

Financial records

• Bank statements showing accurate balances and payments
• Payment receipts or canceled checks to prove on-time payments
• Creditor letters confirming account status or corrections

Fraud-related evidence (if applicable)

• Identity Theft Report from the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov
• Police report if fraud was involved
• Any communication with creditors disputing unauthorized accounts

3. Submit your dispute to the credit bureaus

The three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — each have formal dispute submission processes. If the error appears on reports from multiple bureaus, you must dispute it separately. You can file a dispute in three ways:

Online – The fastest and easiest method. Each credit bureau has a dispute portal:

• Experian: Experian Dispute Center
• Equifax: Equifax Dispute Portal
• TransUnion: TransUnion Dispute Page

By mail – Send a formal dispute letter to the credit bureau. Include:

• Your full name, address, and contact information
• A clear explanation of the disputed information
• Copies of supporting documents (never send originals)
• A credit report copy that highlights the errors

Mailing addresses for disputes:

• Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
• Equifax: P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
• TransUnion: P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

By Phone – Call the credit bureaus and request a dispute:

• Experian: (888) 397-3742
• Equifax: (866) 349-5193
• TransUnion: (800) 916-8800

4. Contact the creditor directly

Beyond contacting the credit bureaus, you should contact the credit card issuer, bank, or lender that reported the incorrect information and ask them to investigate. If they find a mistake, they must legally update all three credit bureaus.

5. Wait for the investigation to be completed

Credit bureaus generally have 30 to 45 days to investigate disputes. Once their review is complete, they will correct or remove any inaccurate information if your dispute is successful. If they determine that the reported information is accurate, they will deny the dispute.

Regardless of the outcome, you’ll receive a written response. The bureau will send you an updated copy of your credit report if the error is corrected.

If the dispute is denied but you still believe the information is incorrect, you can:

• Request the reason for the denial and escalate the dispute
• Append a consumer statement to your credit report explaining your side of the dispute (this won’t change your score but offers context to lenders)

The impact your vigilance can have on your credit score

Correcting mistakes on your credit report can boost your credit score by:

• Fixing reported late payments (35% of your score)
• Lowering your credit utilization ratio (30% of your score)
• Removing duplicate debts/fraudulent accounts that skewer your debt-to-income ratio

Fixing credit report errors isn’t just about correcting inaccuracies, though. By regularly reviewing your reports, disputing inaccuracies, and monitoring your credit health, you can qualify for better loan terms and lower interest rates.

If you’re working on improving your credit and looking to finance a vehicle, Credit Acceptance might be able to help. We work with over 12,000 dealerships nationwide to assist buyers, regardless of credit history. See if you pre-qualify for auto financing today!