How to Dispute Equifax Credit Report

Yes, dispute any Equifax credit report item that looks inaccurate, stems from identity theft, or appears to be a mixed‑file error. The Fair Credit Reporting Act lets you file a dispute at any time, and Equifax must complete its investigation within 30 days of receiving it; the bureau and the data furnisher must prove the entry is correct, while you only need to show it is likely wrong (see Fair Credit Reporting Act guidance).

No, don't dispute an item that you can verify is accurate, is still within its legitimate reporting window, and for which you lack supporting evidence. In such cases a dispute can delay the normal aging process and generate unnecessary paperwork; instead, monitor the entry and move on to the next steps, such as reviewing your overall report in the 'check if you have identity theft or mixed‑file errors' section.

Collect the records that directly prove the credit report error. These documents give Equifax concrete proof to verify your dispute.

• Recent Equifax credit report screenshot with the disputed item highlighted.
• Payment receipts, bank statements, or credit‑card statements that show on‑time payments or settled balances.
• Signed letters or emails from the creditor confirming the correct account status or a settlement agreement.
• Police report, FTC Identity Theft Report, or fraud affidavit if you suspect identity theft or mixed‑file errors.
• Any prior dispute outcomes or correction notices related to the same account.

Identity theft means a fraudster used your personal data to open or alter a credit report item, while mixed‑file errors occur when Equifax merges two people's records under one file.

Look for accounts you never opened, balances you never carried, or a new address you never lived at; notice a creditor you don't recognize reporting a loan, a hard inquiry you didn't request, or the same Social Security number appearing on two different names - any of these clues signal possible theft or a mixed‑file error.

If you spot such items, collect police reports, identity‑theft affidavits, or utility bills showing your correct address before you move to the dispute template in the next section. For more on spotting fraud, see protecting your identity from theft.

These five common mistakes cause Equifax to ignore your dispute:

• Filing the dispute after the 60‑day window from receipt of your credit report (the FCRA grants up to 60 days; Equifax can dismiss late submissions).
• Omitting clear, legible proof for the credit report item (see 'gather documents you need to prove the error' for the required receipts, statements, or police reports).
• Using vague language that doesn't name the specific account, error, and why it's inaccurate.
• Assuming Equifax will correct the error instantly and not waiting for their written response within the 30‑day investigation period required by law.
• Failing to escalate to the CFPB or the creditor after Equifax marks the dispute 'verified,' even when you have evidence of identity theft or mixed‑file errors (see 'escalate to CFPB when Equifax won't fix it').

Use the template below to draft a brief, FCRA‑compliant dispute letter that addresses the specific credit report item.

1. Header - Your full name, current address, phone number, and email. Below, list Equifax's mailing address and a reference line such as 'Re: Dispute of Credit Report Item #123456'.
2. Reference details - State the exact item you are disputing (account name, number, and date reported). Include the reason for dispute (error, identity theft, mixed‑file error) as identified in earlier sections.
3. Request for investigation - Cite the Fair Credit Reporting Act: 'Please investigate this item within the 30‑day period required by the FCRA and delete or correct it if it is inaccurate.'
4. Supporting evidence - Mention the documents you are attaching (e.g., police report, identity‑theft affidavit, payment records) that prove the error.
5. Closing statement - Ask for written confirmation of the outcome and a free copy of the updated report.
6. Signature - Hand‑sign the letter and type your name below the signature line.

After drafting, move on to the next step: submit your dispute online to Equifax.

Submit your dispute online to Equifax by logging into the Equifax online dispute portal and using the guided wizard. After you've gathered the documents described in the previous 'Gather documents you need to prove the error' step, create a free account, select the credit report item you're contesting, and upload the supporting files directly in the form.

The system confirms receipt and, under the FCRA, Equifax must investigate within 30 days; you can monitor progress in the portal before moving to the certified‑mail method covered next.

Mail your dispute to Equifax with certified mail to create a verifiable paper trail and trigger the FCRA 30‑day response window.

1. Print the dispute letter you drafted in section 5, using the concise template and any supporting documents you gathered in section 2.
2. Place one signed original and one copy of each attachment in an envelope addressed to: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348.
3. Take the envelope to the post office, request a Certified Mail receipt with return receipt requested, and keep the receipt number for tracking.
4. Mail the package within 10 days of completing the letter to stay inside the 30‑day FCRA timeline (Fair Credit Reporting Act 30‑day requirement).
5. File the receipt and a photocopy of the entire mailing in a dedicated dispute folder; you'll need it if you later escalate to the CFPB or a court.

Proceed to 'also dispute directly with the creditor who reported it' to reinforce your claim.

Contact the creditor who reported the error and dispute the item directly; the creditor can verify and correct the information at its source, often speeding up removal from Equifax. After you've gathered the necessary documents (see 'gather documents you need to prove the error'), follow these steps and then monitor the outcome in 'track your dispute status and expected timeline'.

• Find the creditor's name, phone number, and online dispute portal on your credit report.
• Call or log in, state that you are disputing a specific credit report item, and cite the Fair Credit Reporting Act's 30‑day investigation requirement (CFPB FCRA guidelines).
• Send a written follow‑up (email or certified mail) that includes copies of the supporting documents you used for Equifax.
• Request that the creditor send the corrected information to all three bureaus, especially Equifax, and ask for a confirmation reference number.
• File the sent correspondence and dates in a dispute log; you'll need this when you later 'track your dispute status and expected timeline'.

You can track your Equifax dispute status online and know the standard 30‑day investigation window. Log into the MyEquifax portal with your case number, view real‑time updates, and watch for the 'Investigation Complete' flag. Expect an acknowledgment within five business days, followed by a full review that usually finishes by day 30 (or day 45 if Equifax requests additional proof). After the review, the agency mails a results letter and updates the online portal within five days.

If the portal still shows 'Pending' after 30 days, treat it as a non‑response and move to the next step. Document the case number, copy the online status screen, and prepare to file a complaint with the CFPB - the next section explains how to escalate when Equifax won't fix the error. For timeline details, see Consumer Finance Bureau dispute timeline.

If Equifax refuses to correct the error after your dispute, file a complaint with the CFPB.

Steps to escalate

• Collect every piece of correspondence: your original dispute, Equifax's response, and supporting documents (bills, police report, etc.).
• Visit the CFPB online complaint portal and choose 'Credit reporting' → 'Equifax'.
• Fill out the form with your personal details, the disputed credit report item, and a concise description of why Equifax's resolution is wrong.
• Attach scanned copies of the documents you gathered; the portal accepts PDFs up to 5 MB each.
• Submit the complaint and note the case number. The CFPB typically acknowledges receipt within 15 days and forwards the issue to Equifax, who must respond within 5 business days of the CFPB's request.

Escalating to the CFPB triggers a formal investigation and forces Equifax to act, paving the way for the next section on what to do if Equifax ultimately verifies the item's accuracy.

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• Request Equifax's reinvestigation file (the 'verification file') within the 30‑day window allowed by the FCRA 30‑day reinvestigation rule.
• Submit a complaint to the CFPB complaint portal, attaching Equifax's verification file and stating why the item is still inaccurate.
• Dispute the same item directly with the original creditor, providing the same proof; a corrected response from the furnisher forces Equifax to update the report.