These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
1Use the official starting point
Type AnnualCreditReport.com yourself or follow the FTC's Free Credit Reports page. Do not follow an unsolicited text. You do not need to buy credit monitoring to request the free reports available there.
2Check one report at a time
Review identity information, accounts, balances and payment history. A report and a credit score are different things. Save a private copy and note the date.
3Document a specific error
Write which entry is wrong, why and what correction you request. Attach copies of supporting records, not originals. Keep sensitive documents private.
4Dispute with both relevant companies
Follow official dispute instructions for the credit bureau showing the error and the business that supplied it. Keep confirmation numbers and copies. If you suspect identity theft, use IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
5Check the result
Set a reminder to follow up on the investigation. No one can promise an accurate negative item will disappear.
Today: Request one report or mark one entry to question.
6Use the free route without buying a score
AnnualCreditReport.com provides free weekly online reports from the three nationwide bureaus. You can also request annual reports by calling 1-877-322-8228. Use the official request process; a phone/mail request may take time and identity verification may be needed.
Your report is not the same as a credit score. Check each bureau over time because the information can differ. If identity questions fail online, follow the official alternatives rather than paying someone to bypass the checks.
7Make an error packet that is easy to understand
Write the bureau and date, the exact entry, why it is wrong and the correction you request. Example: "This account is not mine" is more useful than "fix my score." Include copies that support the claim and keep the originals.
Send the dispute through the bureau's official process and to the company that supplied the information when appropriate. Keep confirmation numbers and dates. Do not upload your whole report to an unverified helper or share it in the public suggestion form.
8Follow the written result
Set a reminder about a month after submitting to check the status, using the timeline given in your acknowledgment; some investigations can take longer. Review the actual decision and revised report, not just a score change. Supply missing information if requested.
If identity theft is suspected, use https://www.identitytheft.gov/. If a documented reporting problem remains unresolved, read CFPB complaint requirements at https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/. A complaint is not a guaranteed deletion of accurate information.
9Sources and more help
Reviewed November 1, 2026. General money education; individual circumstances differ.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-dispute-an-error-on-my-credit-report-en-314/
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This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer
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