You can dispute possible errors
If something may be inaccurate, you can ask the bureau to investigate. They generally have 30 days, and up to 45 days in some cases.
FCRA § 611 (15 U.S.C. § 1681i)
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Know your rights
Short, plain-English guides with the law behind each one.
Free
Reports from all three bureaus every week
30 days
Bureaus generally have to investigate a dispute (up to 45 in some cases)
7 years
How long most negative items can be reported
What's happening?
Disputing errors
Your right: If something on your report may be wrong, you can ask the bureau to investigate.
What you can do
- 1Find the item and note exactly what looks wrong.
- 2Gather proof, like statements or letters.
- 3Send a dispute to the bureau that shows the item, and keep a copy.
What happens after you dispute
Day 0
You send your dispute.
Within 5 business days
The bureau notifies the company that reported it.
Day 30
Investigation generally due (up to 45 days if you send more information during the review).
Within 5 business days after
You receive the results.
The law behind this
Reports must be accurate
Bureaus must follow reasonable steps to keep your report as accurate as possible.
FCRA § 607(b) (15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b))
Lenders must report correctly
Companies that report your accounts must report them accurately and look into disputes you send them directly.
FCRA § 623 (15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2)
How long items can be reported
Your right: Most negative items can only be reported for a limited time.
What you can do
- 1Find the date the item first became late or delinquent.
- 2Use the calculator below to estimate the end date.
- 3If it's past that date, check whether it still shows.
When can this drop off?
Estimates for general information, not legal advice.
Time limits at a glance
Late payments
7 years from the date of the late payment
FCRA § 605(a)
Collections and charge-offs
7 years + 180 days from when the account first became delinquent
FCRA § 605(a), (c)
Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Up to 10 years from the filing date
FCRA § 605(a)(1)
Chapter 13 bankruptcy
Bureaus typically stop reporting after 7 years (the law allows up to 10)
FCRA § 605(a)(1) / bureau practice
Hard inquiries
Typically shown for 2 years
Bureau practice
Positive accounts in good standing
Can stay on your report much longer
Bureau practice
The law behind this
Reporting time limits
Federal law limits how long most negative information can appear on a credit report.
FCRA § 605(a), (c)
Debt collector rights
Your right: Debt collectors must treat you fairly and prove a debt if you ask in writing.
What you can do
- 1Ask in writing for proof of the debt within about 30 days of the first notice.
- 2Keep notes of every call and letter.
- 3Report harassment or false statements to the CFPB.
The law behind this
Ask a collector to prove the debt
If you dispute in writing within about 30 days of the collector's first notice, they must pause collection until they send verification.
FDCPA § 1692g
No harassment
Collectors cannot threaten, harass or use abusive language.
FDCPA § 1692d
No false statements
Collectors cannot mislead you. If they know you dispute a debt, they must report it as disputed.
FDCPA § 1692e
You can ask them to stop contacting you
A written request can limit contact. It does not erase the debt or change your report.
FDCPA § 1692c
Identity theft
Your right: You can place a fraud alert and ask bureaus to block items that came from identity theft.
What you can do
- 1Report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get a recovery plan.
- 2Place a fraud alert with one bureau; it tells the other two.
- 3Check your reports for other accounts you don't recognize.
The law behind this
Help with identity theft
You can place a fraud alert. With an identity theft report, you can ask the bureau to block fraudulent items.
FCRA §§ 605A, 605B
Free reports
Your right: You can see what is in your credit file, free, every week.
What you can do
- 1Go to AnnualCreditReport.com.
- 2Request reports from all three bureaus.
- 3Save each full report as a PDF.
The law behind this
You can see your file
You have the right to see what is in your credit file. Free reports from all three bureaus are available every week.
FCRA § 609 (15 U.S.C. § 1681g)
Only with a good reason
A company needs a legal reason (a permissible purpose) to pull your report.
FCRA § 604 (15 U.S.C. § 1681b)
The three nationwide bureaus
Equifax
Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
Experian
Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion
TransUnion Consumer Solutions, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
What if it doesn't get fixed?
If a bureau verifies an item you still believe is wrong, you can add more evidence and dispute again, dispute directly with the lender, or file a complaint with the CFPB.