Definition
A dispute in the context of credit repair refers to the formal process of challenging incorrect or inaccurate information that appears on your credit report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute any information on your credit report that you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or cannot be verified. When you file a dispute, the credit bureau must investigate your claim and verify the information with the original creditor or information provider. If the information cannot be verified, it must be removed from your credit report. Disputes can be filed directly with each credit bureau online, by mail, or by phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a credit dispute take?
By law, credit bureaus must investigate disputes within 30 days (45 days in some cases). However, the entire process, including communication with the creditor and potential follow-ups, may take 30-90 days to complete.
What information can I dispute on my credit report?
You can dispute any information you believe is inaccurate, including accounts that aren't yours, incorrect account statuses, outdated negative information, incorrect payment histories, duplicate accounts, or incorrect personal information.
Can I dispute accurate negative information?
No, you can only legally dispute information that is inaccurate or cannot be verified. Attempting to dispute accurate negative information is considered credit repair fraud.
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