How to Fix Equifax Credit Report Mistakes?

You can get your free Equifax credit report right now by following three quick steps.

1. Go to the official portal - Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, the only government‑authorized site for free reports under the FCRA. Choose 'Equifax' when prompted.
2. Verify your identity - Enter your name, Social Security number, date of birth, and current address. Answer the security questions using information from your credit history; accurate answers unlock the report instantly.
3. Download and save - After the system generates the Equifax credit report, download the PDF and store it in a secure folder. You'll need this document for the 'find identity mix‑ups and false accounts' step that follows.

(If you prefer phone or mail, call 1‑877‑322‑8228 or send a completed Form 1023 to Equifax, but online retrieval is fastest and avoids processing delays.)

Find identity mix‑ups and false accounts on your Equifax credit report by scanning every line for personal‑information errors and unfamiliar entries. Use the report you requested earlier as your reference point before you gather proof in the next section.

• Compare the name, Social Security number, date of birth, and address on the report to your official ID; any mismatch may signal a mixed file.
• Highlight accounts you never opened, including credit cards, loans, or medical collections.
• Look for similar names or misspellings (e.g., 'Jon' vs 'John') that could have merged two consumers' histories.
• Check the open/closed dates; an account opened after you filed a dispute may be a duplicate or fraud.
• Match each listed creditor with a bill, statement, or account number you already have; missing correspondence indicates a false entry.
• Identify joint accounts where you are not listed as a co‑signer; these often appear from a relative's credit file.
• Note any credit inquiries you did not authorize; repeated unauthorized pulls suggest identity theft.

Gather recent utility, phone, or rental bills, your latest bank or credit‑card statements, and a government‑issued photo ID; these documents prove ownership of the accounts flagged in the previous step and satisfy the evidence requirements of the Equifax dispute process.

• Use documents dated within the last 90 days to ensure relevance.
• Highlight the line showing your name, address, and account number that matches the entry on the Equifax credit report.
• Scan or photograph each page in color; keep each file under 5 MB.
• Save as PDF or JPEG and label clearly (e.g., 'Utility_Bill_Jan2024.pdf').
• Keep a backup copy for your records, as the creditor may request it again under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guide.
• Organize all files in a single folder to attach easily when you file your online dispute with Equifax.

Log onto the Equifax online dispute page, enter your personal details, select the Equifax credit report you downloaded, click the item you're contesting, and upload the supporting bills, statements, or ID you gathered earlier.

Mark the error type (e.g., 'incorrect balance' or 'unknown account'), write a brief description, and hit Submit; the system confirms receipt with a reference number you should save.

Equifax must investigate the dispute within 30 days under the FCRA, then email you the outcome and an updated report if changes occur. If the item remains unchanged, the next step is to contact the creditor directly (see the following section). Keep the reference number handy for any follow‑up.

Call the creditor that reported the error and ask them to correct the entry on your Equifax credit report.

• Find the creditor's name, account number, and phone or email address on the Equifax report.
• Gather supporting documents  -  bills, statements, or ID  -  that prove the information is wrong.
• Call the creditor, note the representative's name, and request a reference number for the issue.
• Follow up with a concise email or mailed letter that:
  • cites the Fair Credit Reporting Act (Fair Credit Reporting Act overview),
  • states the specific mistake,
  • attaches proof, and
  • demands a correction within the 30‑day investigation window.
• Ask the creditor to confirm in writing that they have notified Equifax of the correction.
• Keep a copy of every communication; if the creditor promises to fix the error, monitor the Equifax report for the update.

If the creditor's response does not resolve the mistake, proceed to the next step - sending your dispute by certified mail and tracking delivery.

Mail your Equifax dispute via certified mail and keep the tracking number as proof of delivery. Include a copy of your dispute letter, all supporting documents (bills, statements, ID), and a prepaid return‑envelope; request a return receipt so the carrier confirms when Equifax receives it. This creates a dated paper trail that satisfies the FCRA's requirement for 'timely' notice and protects you if the creditor claims non‑receipt.

After mailing, monitor the tracking status daily; once delivered, save the receipt image and note the delivery date. If the carrier reports a delay or loss, you can re‑send the package with a new tracking number and still stay within the 30‑day window mandated by federal law.

With the delivery confirmed, you'll be ready for the next step - expect dispute results within 30 days under the FCRA (how disputes work under the FCRA).

Equifax must deliver the outcome of your dispute within 30 days under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Once you file the online or mailed dispute, the agency has a 30‑day window to investigate, request verification from the creditor, and either correct, delete, or confirm the information on your Equifax credit report. If you provide additional documentation after the dispute opens, the clock may extend an extra five days, but the agency must still inform you of the final decision in writing. Expect the result to appear in your online account, arrive by mail, or be sent via email if you opted in; the notice will state whether the entry was updated, removed, or left unchanged. Should the agency fail to meet the deadline or refuse a valid correction, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, contact your state regulator, or proceed to the next step of escalating the issue with a letter of demand or small‑claims action.

This 30‑day rule sets the timeline for the 'file your online dispute with Equifax' section and leads directly into setting up free credit alerts and regular audits to prevent repeats.

Enroll in the free Equifax credit alerts that email you whenever a new account opens, a hard inquiry appears, or a personal‑information change is reported; the instant notice lets you verify the entry and dispute it before the error spreads. Use the same alert service for other major bureaus so every change triggers a quick check of your Equifax credit report.

Conduct a brief audit at least every three months: download the latest free report from AnnualCreditReport.com, compare new items against your records, and flag anything unfamiliar for immediate dispute. Set calendar reminders and keep a simple spreadsheet of known accounts so each audit becomes a routine safeguard against repeat mistakes.

A credit freeze blocks anyone - including Equifax - from pulling your Equifax credit report until you lift the freeze with your personal PIN, and filing an identity‑theft report lets you formally document suspected fraud and obtain an affidavit to attach to disputes.

How to act:

1. Go to Equifax's credit‑freeze page, enter your personal info, and note the PIN or password you receive; use it to temporarily lift the freeze whenever a creditor needs access for a dispute.
2. If you suspect fraudulent activity, report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov or your local police, then download the Identity Theft Affidavit.
3. Send the affidavit to any creditor that listed the questionable entry and attach it to your ongoing dispute file; this signals that the item may be fraudulent without forcing lenders to treat it as such.
4. Keep the freeze in place while you wait for the 30‑day dispute result under the FCRA; you can lift it briefly for any required credit checks.

Example:

Jane discovers a loan she never applied for on her Equifax credit report. She freezes her credit, receives PIN 12345, and files an identity‑theft report with the FTC, obtaining an affidavit. Jane then emails the affidavit to the lender, notes the freeze status, and continues waiting for the dispute outcome, confident that no new accounts can be opened in the meantime.

Account merges, international SSNs, or recent immigration issues only hide a credit score when the Experian credit file lacks enough tradelines after the change. Merges combine duplicate records, an ITIN (the U.S. 'foreign' identifier) is treated like a regular SSN, and a visa‑status update simply replaces the old number; none of these actions automatically block the FICO score, VantageScore, or any credit score.

For example, if two files for the same name are merged and the combined record still shows credit‑card balances and loan payments, Experian will generate a score. If a consumer uses an ITIN instead of a Social Security Number, Experian still creates a credit file and can calculate a score once enough accounts are reported (International Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) guide). When a visa holder becomes a permanent resident and the SSN on the file is updated, the credit file remains active; the score may disappear only if the person has no recent tradeline activity. These scenarios illustrate why the score reappears once sufficient credit activity exists, regardless of merges, ITIN usage, or immigration status changes.

If a mistake on your Equifax credit report is draining your wallet, you can either pursue a small‑claims case or retain an attorney.

Small‑claims courts let you sue a creditor yourself when the financial harm is modest (usually under $10,000). After the 30‑day dispute period ends, gather the dispute result, billing statements, and any court‑ready paperwork. File the claim in the county where the creditor does business, pay the filing fee, and appear in court without a lawyer. The judge can order the creditor to correct the Equifax credit report and reimburse the verified loss, plus court costs, under the FCRA. For a quick, low‑cost option, see what a small‑claims court handles.

Hiring an attorney makes sense when the error caused large or ongoing losses, when the creditor disputes the correction, or when you need to claim statutory damages up to $1,000 per FCRA violation. An attorney can draft a formal demand letter, negotiate a settlement, or file a lawsuit in a higher court. Legal counsel can also pursue attorney‑fees and punitive damages if the creditor acted in bad faith. Though this route costs more upfront, it provides expertise and can secure larger recoveries; many firms offer a free initial consultation. For guidance on choosing counsel, consult how to find an attorney.