Disputing a credit report error — FCRA § 611, 15 U.S.C. § 1681i

What this actually is

You have a statutory right to dispute anything incomplete or inaccurate in your credit file, and the reinvestigation is by law "free of charge." The agency must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation within 30 days (extendable by 15 if you supply more information during that window), must notify the furnisher within 5 business days, and must PROMPTLY DELETE or modify information it cannot verify or finds inaccurate. Deleted information cannot be reinserted unless the furnisher certifies it is accurate. ⚠️ This is the exact service credit repair companies sell. The CFPB says it directly: there is no need to pay a credit repair company to do this for you. Dispute with the bureau in writing with documents, and separately with the furnisher — the bank or collector that reported it.

Who qualifies, and what trips people up

Open to every consumer, no fee. You may also add a statement of dispute to your file if the investigation goes against you. Veterans have a simplified route for disputing medical debt using VA documentation. Keep copies and send by a method that proves delivery — the 30-day clock runs from receipt. If it is not resolved, file a CFPB complaint (next entry), or go to IdentityTheft.gov if identity theft is involved. Accurate negative information cannot be removed by anyone, at any price.