How to Dispute Your Experian Credit Report

You can request your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus using a single source: AnnualCreditReport.com. But if you find an error in any of your reports — for example, an incorrect account number or a payment mistakenly marked late — you need to deal with the bureau that issued it.

Each credit bureau assembles your report from information sent to it by lenders, credit card issuers, public agencies and sometimes landlords. Errors in reporting can cost you credit score points, so it's worth taking the time to clean up your credit reports.

Here’s how to spot errors on your Experian report — and how to submit a dispute if you find one.

What should I check on my Experian credit report?

Rod Griffin, Experian’s senior director of public education and advocacy, advises checking all identifying information to start. Errors here won’t affect your credit scores, but they could indicate that someone else’s information has gotten mixed with yours. Worse, they could mean you’ve fallen victim to identity theft. Check your:

• Social Security number.

• Name, including variations under which you’ve applied for credit.

• Current and past addresses.

Next, check for errors that could affect your credit scores:

• Accounts listed that aren't yours, especially if you have a common name or use a generational suffix.

• Amounts that don’t match your billing statements.

• Payments reported late when they were not.

• Public records, such as bankruptcies, that aren't yours.

• Negative information that’s correct but is too old to be listed on reports.

If you see mistakes, gather documentation supporting your case and file a dispute with Experian.

» MORE: How to dispute credit report errors

How to file a dispute with Experian

Submit an Experian dispute online

Griffin says going online is the simplest way to file a dispute, and that’s how most customers do it.

If you haven't already registered with Experian, you'll do that first in order to access the dispute center. Once in, you can select items to dispute and indicate the reason. Griffin said there's no limit on the number of items you may challenge. You’ll have a chance to review your entries and upload copies of any supporting documents requested, such as a canceled check or a billing statement.

Tracking your dispute status

Expect emails when you file the dispute and when Experian has results available. You may also get emails with updates during the process, or you can log in to your Experian account to check the status.

Submit an Experian dispute by mail

If you prefer to use mail, you can send a dispute letter to the following address: Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013. The Federal Trade Commission recommends using certified mail, return receipt requested, to confirm that Experian gets your letter.

You can print out Experian's dispute-by-mail instructions and form, or simply write a letter that includes:

• Your full name, including your middle initial and any suffix, such as Jr., III, etc.

• Your birthdate and Social Security number.

• Addresses where you've lived during the past two years.

• A copy of an identification card issued by the government, typically a driver’s license, state identification card or passport.

• A copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement sent to your address and bearing your name.

In your letter, explain which item(s) you think are incorrect and why. If you're disputing an account, include the account number. Send copies, not originals, of documents because they will not be returned. The bureau will respond by mail.

Can I dispute my Experian credit report by phone?

Because documents are often required, you might not be able to complete a dispute by phone. However, you can start the process by phone by requesting a copy of your report. The number is 1-888-397-3742. Once you receive the report, you can contact Experian at the number listed on it for assistance with your dispute.

How long does Experian take to resolve a dispute?

The bureau has 30 business days to complete its investigation once it receives your dispute. Experian may take up to 45 days to finish the investigation if you provide additional information during the initial 30-day period or if you obtained a copy of your credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com. Griffin said most disputes are resolved within 10 to 14 days, and many even sooner than that.

What happens after you file your dispute?

If Experian agrees with you, it will change or delete the information in question on your credit report. It’s smart to check your credit report again to verify the changes were made. Your response from the bureau will contain a link to the corrected report, or it will mail you a corrected copy.

However, if Experian confirms that it's reporting the information given to it correctly, you might need to talk to the creditor or other source that's sending in the data. Ask that source to correct the information it’s reporting to Experian, then contact Experian to confirm.

If you don’t receive a response from the bureau, or the response is insufficient, you can add a statement about the dispute to your credit file. You can also submit a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. You might consider contacting a lawyer or your state attorney general if further help is needed.

You may also need to file a dispute with TransUnion and a separate dispute with Equifax, if the incorrect information also appears on your reports at those bureaus.

Next, get in the habit of checking your credit report frequently to keep up with new data. In between your free copies from AnnualCreditReport.com, you can check your free TransUnion credit report at NerdWallet as often as you like. Regularly monitoring your report can give you an early warning of potentially score-damaging problems.